About this topic
Water and metal are good conductors of electricity. Your body carries electricity well because it has a lot of water. An electrical shock happens when there is a flow of electricity through your body. This may happen if you touch an electric circuit and the ground at the same time. ‚
The path where the electric current flows inside your body gets very hot. That is why an electric shock often causes a burn. It can also harm your heart, muscles, or brain. An injury from an electrical shock may be minor. Other times, it may be serious and cause lasting harm. You could die from an electric shock. ‚
Your injury is based on: ‚
- The type of current
- How high the voltage is
- How the current traveled through your body
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your wound. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- How to clean your wound
- If there are drugs you should put on your wound
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Treat burns
- Treat infections
- Help with pain and swelling
Will physical activity be limited?
For minor electrical shocks, you may be able to do your normal activities. If your shock is very bad, you may have to limit your activity. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Slow healing of the graft skin
- Infection
- Numbness of the skin
- Scarring
- Skin discoloration
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Cover electrical outlets.
- Replace poorly insulated wires or broken wires.
- Make sure that your hands are dry when handling electrical cords.
- Always check electrical tools before working on an electrical system.
- Do not play with any electrical cords.
- Always check that electrical tools or a machines power is off before working on electrical systems.
- If you are inside your house during a thunderstorm, turn off your TV, computers, and power tools. Avoid metal objects.
- Be careful when outdoors during a thunderstorm with lightning. Find a shelter right away. Protect yourself from lightning by staying away from trees, metal objects, water on the ground, or swimming pools.
- Never use water to put out an electrical fire. Use fire extinguishers.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal, or pain.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the wound; wound site opens up.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my wound.
- I can tell you ways to prevent another electrical shock.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
Better Health Channel ‚
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Electric_shock ‚
Healthy Children ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/Electric-Shock.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚