The 411 on Electrical Burns – University of Utah Health Care

Feb 12, 2021 2:15 PM

Our lives are dependent on electricity, 24 hours a day. It is such an important part of our day to day living that it is almost impossible to fathom a world without electricity. Even while we sleep, electricity is keeping our food cold and our security systems operating. Throughout the day, throughout the year, we tend to take electricity for granted.

In the United States, on average 400 die from electrocution and 4,400 are injured each year because of electrical hazards. Of these, 180 are related to consumer products. Another 325 die and 4,000 are injured in workplace electrical accidents, according to data published by the National Safety Council.

Electrical burns, as their name implies, are burns sustained when a person comes into contact with an open current of electricity. The electrical current runs through the body, damaging internal tissues, muscles, organs such as the heart and kidneys and/or the nervous system, often without doing any major harm to the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin). In some cases, electrical burns can render a person unconscious.

There are 6 main classes of electrical burns:

There are many circumstances that can lead to a person suffering any of the electrical burns mentioned, such as chewing on wires, using frayed wires, approaching downed power lines, attempting to do the work of an electrician when you are not one, and sticking a knife or fork into a toaster oven. These burns can also result from submerging electrical devices in water or even from simply using these devices near open or still water.

Treatment will depend on the type of electrical burn you sustained. Some burns may require surgery to treat internal damage, while others only require topical ointments and creams to address external damage. Since it is difficult to determine the full extent of an electrical burn on your own, it is advised to consult a medical professional. They can help you uncover any internal injuries and set you on the quickest path to recovery.

The University of Utah Health Burn Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have any questions, call 801-581-3050.

See more here:
The 411 on Electrical Burns - University of Utah Health Care