Electrical Burns In Adults

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What are electrical burns?

• Electrical burns are injuries that may 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. You may also 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. Your muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, and bones may also get damaged.
  
  
• When you are burned, your tissue gets damaged and begins to die. The heat from the burn may damage your bones and swelling may cause damage to nearby organs. Damaged blood vessels may stop your organs from getting enough blood. When your muscles are damaged, they may release toxins (dangerous chemicals) into your body. Toxins may damage nearby tissue and organs. With treatment, you may have less pain or infections caused by germs called bacteria. You may have less tissue damage. You may be able to return to work or your normal daily activities sooner than without treatment.

What causes electrical burns? Touching a low-voltage electrical current in batteries or small machines may cause small, deep burns. Voltage is a way to measure electricity. As the voltage increases, you may have more damage to your organs since your burns may become worse. You may also get more damage the longer you touch the current. Electric currents that pulse on and off may cause more damage to your body than steady currents. You may also get burns from lightning. Lightning may strike you directly, or reach you by traveling through plumbing, wires, or even the ground. Ask your caregiver for more information about lightning injuries.

What increases my risk of getting an electrical burn? Anyone can get electrical burns, although some people have a higher risk of getting them. Your chances of getting electrical burns increase when:

• You work with electricity.
  
  
• You work around power lines or poles.
  
  
• You work or live on a farm.
  
  
• You work on construction sites.

What are the signs and symptoms of electrical burns? Electrical burns may damage many parts of your body. Your signs and symptoms will depend on where and how badly you are burned. You may have burns or other injuries on your skin. You may also have damage inside your body that causes you to have other symptoms. Symptoms may occur right away or appear after a few months or longer. After the burn, you may pass out or stay awake. You may have any of the following:

• Headache, dizziness, confusion, or memory problems.
  
  
• Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
  
  
• Weakness, stiffness, or muscle pain.
  
  
• Problems walking or keeping your balance.
  
  
• Red or reddish black urine.
  
  
• Pain.
  
  
• Seizures (uncontrolled shaking).
  
  
• Trouble breathing.

What other problems can electrical burns cause? Electrical burns may also cause you any of the following:

• Trouble thinking or staying awake.
  
  
• Cardiac arrest (heart attack) or other heart problems.
  
  
• Too much pressure on your body organs.
  
  
• Cataracts (clouding over your eyes) or other eye problems.
  
  
• Hemorrhage (bleeding that does not stop).
  
  
• Paralysis (not able to move part or all of your body).
  
  
• Problems hearing.
  
  
• Problems breathing or lung damage.

How are electrical burns diagnosed? Your caregiver will examine your body and mark down how much of your body is burned. Your caregiver will ask you what you were doing when you were burned. Your caregiver will ask you about your symptoms. Your caregiver will check your eyes. He may also test your memory. Your caregiver may ask you to walk across the room. He may also ask you do certain movements to test your joints (the place where two bones meet).

What tests might I need? You may need one or more of the following tests:

• Blood and urine tests: You may need blood or urine tests to check for damage to your muscles, heart, and other organs. You may need to have these tests more than once.
  
  
• Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG, electrocardiogram, or telemetry. Sticky pads are placed on your chest or different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire leading to a small portable box (telemetry unit), or to a TV-type screen. This lets caregivers see a tracing of the electrical activity of your heart. The heart monitor may help caregivers see problems with the way your heart is beating. Do not remove any wires or sticky pads without asking your caregiver first.
  
  
• Imaging tests: These tests help your caregiver see images (pictures) that show how your body is doing. You may need any of the following:
  
  
  • Computed tomography scan: This is also called a CT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your brain. Your caregiver may do this test to check for signs of brain injury after you have electrical burns. This may help your caregiver see if you have swelling, bleeding, or damage in your brain.
    
    
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is also called an MRI. During the MRI, pictures are taken of your head or other body parts. An MRI may be used to look at your brain, muscles, joints, bones, or blood vessels. An MRI may show if you have swollen muscles that may cause too much pressure in your body. You will need to lie still during an MRI. Never enter the MRI room with an oxygen tank, watch, or any other metal objects. This can cause serious injury.
    
    
  • Scintigraphy: Scintigraphy is a test that takes pictures of your body. Scintigraphy may help your caregiver find dead tissue in your body. Scintigraphy may also help your caregiver figure out how much dead tissue needs to be removed during surgery.
    
    
  • Ultrasound: An ultrasound is a simple test that looks inside of your body. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your organs and tissues on a TV-like screen.

How are electrical burns treated? You may need to go to a special treatment center for people with burns. Areas of your body with burns will be bandaged to keep the area moist and clean. Caregivers will monitor your condition to see if you are improving or need other treatments. Your may need any of the following:

• Fluids: If you need more fluid in your body, your caregiver may give you intravenous (IV) fluids. These fluids may contain protein, salt water, minerals, or glucose (sugar). An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and the liquid.
  
  
• Surgery: Ask your caregiver for more information about the following:
  
  
  • Debridement: This is surgery to remove damaged tissue from your body. Your caregiver will remove enough tissue until he can see your healthy tissue. Caregivers may do this to avoid infection, decrease inflammation (pain and swelling), and improve healing. Your caregiver may do this surgery more than once. Your caregiver may cover the surgery spot with a skin graft or flap.
    
    
  • Skin grafts and flaps: Your caregiver may place grafts to cover or replace the skin or tissue you lost from electrical burns. Grafts may come from other healthy tissue in your body. It may also be natural or man-made material. A graft can help close your wounds, prevent an infection, or decrease scarring. Skin flap surgery is done to fix large wounds that cannot be covered by skin grafting. A skin flap is skin and tissue near the wound that is used to cover the wound area. Skin flaps may improve the appearance of your skin.
    
    
  • Escharotomy: In an escharotomy, your caregiver will remove dead tissue from your body. An escharotomy may decrease your chance of infection and more damage to your skin.
    
    
  • Fasciotomy: Fasciotomy is surgery to cut into your fascia. Fascia is strong tissue that divides your body into sections. Cutting into your fascia will release pressure that is caused by swollen muscles. With fasciotomy, you may be less likely to have more damage to your nerves, tissue, or organs.
    
    
  • Nerve release: You may need to have a nerve release if a nerve in your body is compressed (pressed down) after your burn. Surgery is done to release the pressure on the nerve. This may help prevent your injury from getting worse.
    
    
  • Arthroplasty: This is surgery to fix damaged joints. Joints are areas in your body where two bones meet.
    
    
  • Amputation: Amputation is surgery to remove one of your body limbs, such as a finger, arm, or leg. You may need an amputation if there is too much dead tissue in your limb.
  
  
• Blood transfusion: A blood transfusion may be needed if you lose too much blood. Whole blood or parts of blood will be given through a small tube placed in your vein. Ask your caregiver for more information on receiving blood products.

What medicines might I need?

• 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 may also 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 may also help your burn heal faster. The silver may be placed on your skin as an ointment or may be part of your dressing.
  
  
• Heart medicine: This medicine may be given to make your heart beat stronger or more regularly. There are many different kinds of heart medicines. Talk with your caregiver to find out what your medicine is and why you are taking it.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain. Medicine may be given regularly, or may only be given if you ask caregivers for it. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease enough for you to feel better. Do not wait to ask for your pain medicine until the pain is very bad. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Ask your caregiver for help getting out of bed if you feel tired or dizzy.
  
  
• 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 may also give it to you as a pill, shot, or in your IV. This medicine can help a lot but may also have side effects. Be sure you understand why you need steroids. Do not stop taking this medicine without your caregivers OK. Stopping on your own can cause problems.
  
  
• Diuretics: This medicine is often called "water pills". Diuretics help your body get rid of extra fluid (edema) in your legs and ankles. This medicine may also help get rid of extra fluid in your lungs or around your heart. It may also decrease your blood pressure. You may urinate more often when taking diuretics.
  
  
• Tetanus shot: This is medicine to keep you from getting tetanus. It is given as a shot. You should have a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the past 5 to 10 years. Your arm can get red, swollen, and sore after getting this shot.

What other therapies may help me get better? Other 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:

• Mind-body therapies: These may include any of the following:
  
  
  • 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.
    
    
  • 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.
    
    
  • 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 may also 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 may also learn how to manage your fears in a healthier way.
    
    
  • 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.
  
  

How can electrical burns be prevented? 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.

Where can I find 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 sad about your burn and your appearance. 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
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  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
  

When should I call my caregiver? Call your 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.

When should I seek immediate help? Seek immediate care, or call 911, if:

• You came in contact with lightning or other electric currents.
  
  
• You have been burned.
  
  
• You have a fast heartbeat.
  
  
• You faint (pass out).
  
  
• You have a seizure.
  
  
• 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.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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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