Emergency Care for Electrical Shock
If you have accidentally touched an exposed wire or used a faulty appliance, the jolt of an electrical shock can cause your skin to burn. Call 911 immediately for severe cases of shock.
In addition to burns, an electrical shock injury can hurt internal organ, cause cardiac arrest, or even death. Dignity Health St. John's provides personalized care for electrical shock symptoms.
Identifying Electrical Shock Symptoms at Dignity Health St. John's
Not all electrical shocks cause skin burns. Emergency doctors at Dignity Health St. John's advise that other signs of electrical shock from high voltage or lightning are:
- Joint fractures and dislocations
- Difficulty breathing
- Cardiac arrest, heart attack, or irregular heartbeats
- Pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or paralysis
- Muscle spasms or seizures
- Personality changes, irritability, or memory problems
Your healing and well-being remain our focus. If you experience an electrical shock, even with just a minor burn, see your doctor since you may have a more serious internal injury.
Preventing Electrical Shock
To prevent electrical shock you should first unplug the source of electricity if you or another person remains in contact with it. Do not touch the person if they remain in contact with the electricity. If you can’t turn off the source, use rubber or wood to move the person away from it.
Call 911 for emergency assistance, begin first aid for shock, or start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if necessary. To speak to an expert about electrical shock, Find a Doctor at Dignity Health.