Electrical injury

Definition

An electrical injury is damage to the skin or internal organs when a person comes into direct contact with an electrical current.

Alternative Names

Electrical shock

Considerations

The human body conducts electricity very well. That means electricity passes easily throughout the body. Direct contact with electrical current can be deadly. While some electrical burns look minor, there may be serious internal damage, especially to the heart, muscles, or brain.

Electric current can cause injury in four ways:

Causes

Electrical injury can be caused by:

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on many things, including:

Symptoms may include:

First Aid

Do Not

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 or the local emergency number, if a person has been injured by electricity.

Prevention

References

Chen P, Bukhman AK. Electrical and lightning injuries. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 130.

Cooper MA, Andrews CJ, Holle RL, Blumenthal R, Aldana NN. Lightening-related injuries and safety. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 5.

Price LA, Loiacono LA. Electrical injury and lightning injury. In: Cameron JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:1433-1442.

Sheridan RL. Medical aspects of trauma and burns. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 97.


Review Date: 11/2/2023
Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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