Electricity plays an essential role in daily life, and you likely can't imagine how life would be without it. It is used both for domestic and industrial purposes to power machines, and it provides lighting. Since many electrical injuries are accidental and preventable, you should always handle electricity cautiously to avoid an electric shock. Every year, electrical hazards cause more than 4,000 injuries and 300 deaths among the US workforce. If you are electrocuted, it's advisable to seek immediate electrical injury care.

What Are Electrical Injuries?

An electrical injury is a mechanical trauma that occurs as a result of high-voltage or low-voltage electric shock. While some injuries are fatal, others cause long-term damage to multiple organs and tissues.

Electric injuries typically fall into four main types:

• Flash injuries- These are caused by an arc flash and are associated with superficial burns. Typically, they affect the skin as the electrical current does not travel past the skin.
• Flame Injuries- In some cases, the arc flash may ignite your clothes, leading to skin burns.
• Lightning Injuries- These occur when very high voltage electrical energy flows through your body for a short time.
• True Electrical Injuries- These occur when you are part of an electrical circuit.

When Should You Seek Electrical Shock Care?

If you have had an electric shock, it's advisable to seek immediate electrical injury care. Sometimes, an electric shock causes burns, while at other times, it doesn't leave physical marks on the skin. If left untreated, it can cause major internal damage, such as cardiac arrest.

The severity of an electric shock depends on various factors, including:

• Length of contact time with the electric source
• Voltage
• Type of current
• Your overall health

Electrical injury care starts at home, even before calling 911 for emergency services. If you have been shocked, start by doing the following:

• Let go of the electric source
• Turn off the electricity source
• Don't move, especially if you are severely shocked
• If you can, call 911 immediately. If you are not in a position to do so, ask someone else to do it.
• If you have any burns, cover them with sterile gauze.

In most cases, electrical shock care requires urgent medical care. You should seek urgent care if you experience the following:

• Severe burns
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Cardiac arrest
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Muscle pain

Even if you think that your injuries are minor, you should see a doctor for further examination. In some severe cases, you may require intravenous fluids and even hospital admission.

Conclusion

An electric shock may cause minor or severe burns or even significant internal damage. Sometimes, the shock can have long-term effects on your health. Thus, you need urgent electrical shock care.