Electrical Injury

Overview

Electrical injury is tissue damage and systemic reaction caused by a certain amount of electric current passing through the body, with severity related to the voltage, current intensity, and duration of contact. It can cause local electrical burns and, in severe cases, arrhythmia, respiratory depression, and even cardiac arrest.

Symptoms

• Local electrical burns
• Muscle spasms
• Arrhythmia
• Loss of consciousness
• Cessation of breathing

Treatment

Immediately cut off the power source to break contact with the current; perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the heartbeat and breathing have stopped, treat burn wounds, and monitor cardiac and renal function.

Dietary advice

Eat a high-protein, high-vitamin diet during recovery and drink plenty of water to promote metabolism and wound repair.