Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Treat severe electrical burns
• Method 2 of 2: Treat minor electrical burns
• Tips
• Warnings

An electrical burn occurs when a person makes contact with an electrical source, such as a grounded appliance, where the electricity passes through the body. These wounds can range from first- to third-degree burns, depending on how long the victim has been in contact with the current, on the strength and type of current, and on the direction in which the current has traveled through the body. If someone has second or third degree burns, the burns may be very deep and the area may be numb. Electrical burns can also lead to other complications, as organs can be affected in addition to the flesh. With a little preparation, you will know exactly what to do if you or someone close to you has suffered burns from electricity.

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Method 1 of 2: Treat severe electrical burns

1. Do not touch the person if he / she is still in contact with the electrical source. Unplug the device or turn off the main power switch to stop electrical flow to the victim.
   • If it is not immediately possible to turn the power off, make sure you are standing on a dry surface - such as a rubber mat or a stack of newspapers or books - and use a dry wooden object - such as a broomstick. to push the victim away from the source of electricity. Never use anything that is wet or anything made of metal.
2. Do not move the victim if it is not necessary. If the person is no longer in contact with the electrical current, try not to move him / her, if not necessarily.
3. Check if the victim responds. The victim may be unconscious or unresponsive to being touched or to being addressed. If the person is not breathing, provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and resuscitate.
4. Call the emergency services immediately. Electrical combustion can affect the electrical activity of the heart. Call 911, especially if the victim does not respond, or if the burns are from a high voltage cable or lightning strike.
   • If the heart has stopped, you should start CPR.
   • Even if the victim is conscious, you should call 911 if the burns are severe, if he / she has a fast heartbeat, heart rhythm problems, problems walking or maintaining balance, trouble seeing or hearing, red or black urine, confusion, muscle pain and spasms or has trouble breathing.
   • Be aware that the person may also have kidney and nervous system or bone damage.
5. Treat the burns while you wait for the emergency services.
   • Cover burns with dry, sterile gauze bandage. For severe burns, do not remove clothing that is stuck to the skin. You can cut loose clothing around the burn area, especially if the clothing is tight due to swelling.
   • Do not cover the burns with a blanket or towel, as the loose fibers can stick to the burns.
   • Do not cool the burns with water or ice.
   • Do not apply grease or oil to the burns.
6. Note if the victim shows symptoms of shock. He / she may have cold, clammy, pale skin, and / or a fast heart rate. Tell the emergency services if you have noticed any of these symptoms.
7. Keep the victim warm. Try to prevent the person from becoming hypothermic, as this can worsen the symptoms of shock. If you're using a blanket, don't let it hit the burns and wait for the emergency services to arrive.
8. Follow the directions of the doctors. Depending on the severity of the shock and burns, the team of doctors and nurses will have a variety of options for examining and treating the victim.
   • They will likely draw blood and urine to check for damage to the muscles, heart, and other organs.
   • An ECG visualises the electrical activity of the heart to see if the blow has caused cardiac arrhythmias.
   • For severe burns, medical personnel can perform a scintigraphy to identify dead tissue that needs to be removed.
9. Follow the prescribed treatment. The doctor will likely prescribe pain medication, as burns can be very painful when they heal. You will likely be given antibiotic ointment, which you will need to apply to the burns when you change the bandages.
10. Watch for signs of infection. The prescribed treatment will likely consist of oral antibiotics to prevent the burns from becoming infected. However, keep an eye out for signs of infection and see a doctor immediately if you think a wound is getting infected. In that case, your doctor can prescribe stronger antibiotics. Possible signs are:
    • Change in the color of the burn or surrounding skin
    • Purple discoloration, especially if it is also swollen
    • Change in thickness of the burn (the wound suddenly spreads clearly on top of the skin)
    • Green discharge or pus
    • Fever
11. Change the bandage often. Whenever the dressing is wet or dirty, it should be changed. Clean the burn (with clean hands or gloves) with mild soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment (if prescribed by your doctor) and wrap a new sterile piece of gauze bandage that will not stick to the wound.
12. Discuss the option of surgery with your doctor for severe burns. For severe third-degree burns, the doctor may recommend different operations, depending on the location and size of the burn. Some options are:
    • Removing dead or severely damaged tissue to prevent infection and speed healing.
    • Skin grafting, where lost skin is replaced with healthy skin from other sites to promote healing and prevent infection.
    • Escharotomy, in which an incision is made in dead tissue into the fat layer below to improve blood flow and relieve pain caused by swelling.
    • Fasciotomy, or relieving pressure from swollen muscles, which can limit nerve, tissue, or organ damage.
13. If necessary, discuss the possibilities of physiotherapy. Possible muscle and joint damage from severe burns can lead to impaired functioning. Seeing a physical therapist can help you rebuild strength in the affected areas, helping you move better and relieving the pain associated with certain movements.

Method 2 of 2: Treat minor electrical burns

1. Remove clothing and jewelry from the burn site. Even minor burns can swell, so remove any clothing and jewelry around the wound immediately to make it feel more comfortable.
   • If clothing is stuck to the burn, it is not a minor burn and you should seek immediate medical attention. Never attempt to remove clothing attached to a burn. Rather cut it well around the burn.
2. Rinse the burn with cool water until the pain subsides. The cold water will lower the temperature of the skin and prevent the burn from getting worse. Run the burn under cold water or soak it in cold water for about 10 minutes. Don't panic if the cold water doesn't ease the pain immediately; it may take up to thirty minutes for it to feel better.
   • Never use ice or ice-cold water, as the low temperature can damage the tissue.
   • You can keep your arm, hand, foot, or leg in a bath of cold water, but for burns on the face or torso, use a cold compress.
3. Wash your hands. You have to clean the burn to avoid infections. But before touching the wound, your hands should be clean, otherwise open blisters can become inflamed.
   • This also means that you should only use clean cloths, gauze, gloves or other things when touching the wound.
4. Do not destroy the blisters. Burn blisters are not the same as friction blisters, which you can pierce to relieve pain. Never destroy blisters; if you do you risk infection.
5. Wash the burn. Use mild soap and cold water to clean the burn. Lather the soap gently to avoid breaking blisters and irritating the skin.
   • Some of the burned skin may come off when you clean it.
6. Pat the area dry. Use a clean cloth to pat the wound dry. Do not rub the area with the cloth. Sterile gauze is an even better choice if you have that.
   • For very minor first-degree burns, this may be all it takes to care for the area.
7. Apply an antiseptic ointment to the wound. You can apply an ointment such as Nestosyl to the wound each time you clean the area. Do not put oil or butter on the wound, because then you will trap the heat in the burned skin.
8. Put on a bandage. Cover the burned skin loosely with a clean bandage. Change the dressing whenever it is wet or dirty to prevent infections, and do not put the dressing too tightly around the wound as this can cause further skin damage.
   • If the burned skin or blisters aren't broken, you may not need to apply a bandage. If the wound is in an area that can get dirty quickly or is rubbed by clothing, it may still be a good idea to bandage the area.
   • Do not tape the bandage around a hand, arm or leg. That can cause swelling.
9. Take painkillers. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can relieve pain. Take these drugs as indicated in the package leaflet.
10. Consider calling your doctor. Even electrical burns that appear minor can develop symptoms that would require you to see a doctor. Contact your doctor if:
    • You feel dizzy or faint
    • You have stiff joints or muscle pain
    • You feel confused or have amnesia
    • You have questions or concerns about your wounds or how to care for them
11. Watch for signs of infection. There is only a small chance of infection with first degree burns. However, always keep an eye out for signs of infection, especially if blisters or pieces of skin have broken. If you suspect the wound is infected, see a doctor immediately. Possible signs are:
    • Change in the color of the burn or surrounding skin
    • Purple discoloration, especially if it is also swollen
    • Change in thickness of the burn (the wound suddenly spreads clearly on top of the skin)
    • Green discharge or pus
    • Fever
12. Have your doctor look for large blisters. If large blisters develop from the burn, they may need to be removed by your doctor. They rarely stay whole, and it is better to have them removed by a doctor in a sterile manner.
    • A large blister is a blister that is larger than the nail on your little finger.
13. Change the bandage often. Whenever the dressing is wet or dirty, it should be changed. Clean the burn (with clean hands or gloves) with mild soap and water, apply some antiseptic ointment and bandage with clean sterile gauze bandage that does not stick to the wound.

Tips

• Do not repair electrical appliances until you have thoroughly checked that there is no power left on them.
• Make all electrical outlets in your home safe for children.
• Replace broken cords.
• Wear proper clothes and take proper precautions when working with electricity to avoid electrical burns.
• Immediately explain that if you call 112, this is a victim of an electricity burn. They will then tell you which steps to take.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy when working with electrical appliances.
• Learn to distinguish the symptoms of first, second, and third degree burns so you know what steps to take depending on the type of burn.
  • First degree burns are the least severe, affecting only the outermost layer of the skin. This type of burn results in red, painful skin. This type of burn is considered minor and can usually be treated at home.
  • Second degree burns are more severe, affecting the first and second layers of the skin. This type of burn results in very red, blotchy skin with blisters, and it causes pain and tenderness. While minor burns of this type can still be treated at home, wounds covering larger areas of the skin require medical attention.
  • Third degree burns are the most serious and dangerous, affecting all layers of the skin. This type of burn results in red, brown, or white skin, but it often turns black as well. The affected skin becomes leathery and often numb. This type of burn requires immediate medical attention.

Warnings

• Never touch someone who has an electric shock or you will be a victim too.
• Do not enter an area with electrical equipment that has gotten wet.
• In the event of a fire, switch off the power before extinguishing.