Electrical Burns In Children

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Electricity (e-lek-trih-sih-t) is what turns on your lights and other things that you plug in. Electricity is very dangerous if touched. Electrical burns are caused by electricity touching your child or passing through his/her body. Or, your child can be burned when electricity jumps from electrical equipment to him/her. Electricity causes burns on the skin. The burns may be very deep. The electricity may cause damage inside your child's body as it passes through him/her. Electricity can hurt the brain, heart, and other organs. How fast your child gets better depends on how badly he/she is burned.

Types of burns: There are three kinds of burns:

• First-degree burns include only the outer layer of skin. The skin may be red. The skin may also hurt when touched. These are mild burns and usually heal in a few days.
  
  
• Second-degree burns are deeper and more severe. Blisters may form on the burned area. The skin feels very tender when touched. This burn takes about 2 weeks to heal.
  
  
• Third-degree burns are the deepest and most dangerous. The skin is tough or leathery. It may look white, brown, black, or red. Your child may not feel anything when the burned skin is touched.

Causes: Electrical burns may be caused by many things, like sticking a knife into a plugged in toaster. Your child can also be burned if something that is plugged in (like a radio or hair dryer) is dropped into water. Electrical burns may also be caused if your child sucks or chews on an electrical cord. Sticking things (pins, fingers) into an electrical outlet (plug) can cause an electrical burn.

Signs and Symptoms: Your child may feel pain and have swelling over the area that got burned. Also, you may see redness and blisters. Your child may have a headache, fever, and feel dizzy.

Care: Always call your caregiver if your child gets an electrical burn. If the burn is small, you may be able to take care of your child at home. Try to get your child to drink plenty of water or juice. If your child gets a mouth burn, a doctor who is familiar with this injury must treat it. He/she may also need medicine for pain, swelling, fever, or infection (in-fek-shun). If your child has a large burn or is shocked from the electricity, get your child to the hospital right away or call 911 or 0 (operator) .

Do's and Don'ts: To keep your child from getting electrical burns, put plug covers on the electrical outlets. Do not use electrical equipment near standing or running water. Teach your child not to put forks or knives into toasters or outlets. Do not let him/her suck or chew on electrical cords.

CARE AGREEMENT:

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

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