Electrical Burns In Adults

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Electrical burns are injuries that happen when an electric current (electricity) goes near or passes through your body. If you touch electric currents, parts of your body may be burned. The current may enter your body at one point and exit at another, causing damage wherever it passes inside your body. You also may get electrical burns even if the current does not go through your body. If you are near enough, electricity may jump from an electrical source to you. This creates an arc or flash with enough heat to burn your clothing or body. The current causes the most damage where the electricity enters and exits your body.
  
  
• You may get a low-voltage electrical burn from batteries or small machines. Voltage is a way to measure electricity. If you get burned by lightning or a machine with high voltage, then your burn may be worse. When you are burned, your tissue gets damaged and begins to die. Your muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, and bones also may get damaged. You may have a fast heartbeat, reddish urine, or be dizzy and confused. With treatment, you may have less pain, tissue damage, or infections caused by germs called bacteria. You may be able to return to work or your normal daily activities sooner than without treatment.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• Antibiotics: This medicine may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria. This medicine may be put on your skin before your burn is bandaged. You also may get antibiotics as a pill, shot, or in your IV.
  
  
• Silver medicine: You may get medicine with silver in it to help fight infection. It also may help your burn heal faster. The silver may be placed on your skin as an ointment or may be part of your bandage.
  
  
• Heart medicine: This medicine is given to strengthen or regulate your heartbeat. It also may help your heart in other ways. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your heart medicine is and why you are taking it.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain.
  
  
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe to ask for your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling a caregiver when you want to get out of bed or if you need help.
  
  
• Steroid medicine: Steroid medicine may be given to decrease inflammation. Steroid medicine may help your body heal after an electrical burn injury. It may help your muscles become stronger. Your caregiver may put steroids on your skin. He also may give it to you as a pill, shot, or in your IV. This medicine may have side effects. Be sure you understand why you need steroids. Do not stop taking this medicine without your caregiver's okay.
  
  
• Diuretics: This medicine is given to decrease edema (excess fluid) that collects in a part of your body, such as your legs. Diuretics can also remove excess fluid from around your heart or lungs and decrease your blood pressure. It is often called water pills. You may urinate more often when you take this medicine.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Your caregiver will see how well you are healing and if you have any new symptoms. Your bandages many need to be changed. If you have stitches, you may need to return to have them removed. You may need more blood or urine tests. You may need more surgeries.

Care for your wound:

Ask your caregiver how to care for your wound or surgery site. Do not remove your bandage unless your caregiver says it is okay.

Diet:

Your body needs to heal from your burn injury. You need to eat foods high in complex carbohydrates (sugars) and proteins to help your body heal. Ask your caregiver for more information about the foods that may be good for you. Ask your caregiver if you need to be on a special diet.

Manage your stress:

Stress may slow healing and lead to illness. Learn ways to control stress, such as relaxation, deep breathing, and music. Talk to someone about things that upset you.

Therapies:

Therapies may help you feel physically or emotionally better. They may help you relax during painful procedures, like dressing changes. Ask your caregiver for more information about any of the following:

• Therapy: A physical therapist and an occupational therapist may exercise your arms, legs, and hands. They may also teach you new ways to do things around the house. A speech therapist may work with you to help you talk or swallow.
  
  
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy is a mental health treatment that is also called CBT. During CBT, your mental health caregiver will help you change some of the ways you think and act. CBT may help you feel less depressed (sad) or anxious (worried). It also may help you with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You may have PTSD if your electrical injury was very scary to you. CBT may help you feel less fear about your past and your future. CBT may help you feel better about yourself and your life. You also may learn how to manage your fears in a healthier way.
  
  
• Relaxation therapy: Relaxation therapy teaches you how to calm your body and mind. The goal is to feel less physical (body) stress and have less emotional (mind) stress.
  
  
• Hypnosis: This therapy helps you learn how to relax by deep concentration (focused attention). Hypnosis teaches you how to be calm and aware of your mind and body.
  
  
• Meditation: This therapy teaches you how to focus inside yourself. The goal of meditation is to help you feel more calm and peaceful.

Preventing electrical burns:

The following may help prevent electrical burns:

• Follow safety measures at home and at work.
  
  
  • Read and follow the manuals of machines or electronics in your home or work.
    
    
  • If you work with electricity, wear clothing that protects you from electric currents.
    
    
  • Always make sure that electric machines or equipment are running properly.
    
    
  • Disconnect electrical machines before attempting to fix them.
    
    
  • Use safety cords like circuit breakers or ground fault interrupters.
    
    
  • Unplug electric machines when not in use.
    
    
  • Place socket covers on unused plugs.
  
  
• Practice lightning safety.
  
  
  • When you hear thunder, lightning may be close by. Seek immediate shelter in a safe place such as your home or a building.
    
    
  • Avoid touching metal objects such as fences, bicycles, and motorcycles.
    
    
  • If you are in an open field, sit on your heels with both feet together and put your hands over your ears. Avoid standing next to objects taller than you.
    
    
  • Do not bathe or shower. Turn off all faucets in your home.
    
    
  • Turn off anything that uses electricity, such as computers, telephones, and radios.

For support and more information:

Electrical burn injuries may be life-changing for you and your family. Accepting that you had an electrical burn injury may be hard. You may be worried or feel deeply sad about your physical condition. Those close to you may feel angry or scared. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• American College of Surgeons
  633 N. Saint Clair St.
  Chicago , IL 606113211
  Phone: 1- 312 - 2025000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 6214111
  Web Address: http://www.facs.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have dizziness.
  
  
• You have weakness, stiffness, or muscle pain.
  
  
• You feel confused or have memory problems.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You came in contact with lightning or other electric currents.
  
  
• You have been burned.
  
  
• You have a fast heartbeat.
  
  
• You fainted (passed out).
  
  
• You have a seizure (uncontrolled shaking).
  
  
• You have problems walking or keeping your balance.
  
  
• You suddenly have trouble seeing or hearing.
  
  
• You have red or reddish black urine.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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