They are burns which result when electricity passes through the body. Unlike other burns electrical burns cause more subdermal damage. They may cause surface damage but normally tissues underneath the skin experience severe damages. Due to the electric burns cannot be diagnosed accurately hence people may underestimate their severity. In the United States around 1000 deaths yearly are caused by electrical injuries. Extreme electrical burns cause brain shock, heart strain and severe injuries to other body parts.
For a burn to be classified as electrical, electricity must be the direct cause. Burns resulting from electrical appliances like an iron box, kettle are thermal burns. Also, burns caused by fire resulting from electric fault are not an electric one.
The severity of electrical burns is determined by; current, frequency, resistance and voltage. It also depends on pathway taken by the current through the body. Normally current in the body will flow though less resistant tissues. That is first blood vessels, nerves, muscle, skin, tendon fat and then bones.
When the body comes into contact with electric current, it becomes a part of the circuit. The current will have an entry and exit point on the body. The entry point tends to be more depressed whereas the exit is extensive and explosive. Due to this, it is only the two points which are visible hence hard to determine internal damage.
Electrical burns are determined by the following factors;
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Electrical burns can be caused by either grasping or touching electrical live objects. Examples are coming into contact with electrified water, short-circuiting and inserting fingers in in electrical sockets. There are minimal cases where electrical burns are caused by lightning strikes. Advancement in the technology field has led to more electrical injuries. They have been ranked as fourth cause of traumatic deaths. Approximately 33% of electrical traumas and high-voltage injuries happen at workplaces. 50% of electrical burns are as a result of contact with a power line.
Remove or stop the source of current- before any action. DO NOT touch the victim while he/she is in contact with the source as it can affect other people.
First aid treatments for the patient include valuation of consciousness, pulse, and circulation among others. Due to the fact that the patient may have severe internal injuries it is advisable to take him/her to the hospital for recognition.
In most cases, patients with electrical burns show minimal effects on the skin with internal injuries being severe. Damaged tissues require hospitalization of the patients. Failure may lead to more complications making the parts require amputation. The treatment may require debridement, excision of dead tissues, and repair of damaged organs or skin grafting.
As discussed above there are a number of factors that determine electrical burns hence the effects will differ. Depending on the time of contact and current effects will vary from muscular contraction to respiratory paralysis and ventricular fibrillation. Example, a current more than 1000mA causes myocardial contractions. Respiratory and ventricular fibrillation are caused by current between 50-100mA.The skin offers great resistance to direct than alternating current.
Electric injuries, burns, are as a result of abnormal electrons flow through the body and may have one of two effects:
Health complications due to the above-named effects are numerous. They affect many body systems and range in severity.
Other effects include;
Days or weeks after the injury, one may have cataracts or detachment of the retina.
There are a number of ways on how to prevent electrical burns. However, they cannot cover all possible scenarios.
Those are some of the precautions to observe so as to avoid electrical burns. It is important to be careful every time we handle electricity connections and appliances. Seeking medical help immediately after electrical burns is very important.
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