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Electrical Injuries
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Injuries Wounds

Electrical Injuries

Direct contact with electricity can cause both external skin burns and serious internal damage to organs, bones, muscles, and nerves.

Overview

When you come into direct contact with electricity, the current can pass through your body, resulting in injuries. These may be external injuries, such as skin burns, or internal injuries, which include damage to organs, bones, muscles, and nerves. Serious complications can include abnormal heart rhythms and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Risk Factors

The severity of an electrical injury depends on several factors:

  • The strength and type of the electric current.
  • How the current moved through the body.
  • The duration of exposure.
  • The individual's overall health.
  • The speed at which medical treatment is received.

Common Causes

Electrical injuries can result from various sources, including:

  • Lightning strikes.
  • Faulty electrical appliances.
  • Work-related exposures.
  • Contact with household wiring or power lines.
  • Accidents involving small children, such as biting or sucking on electrical cords or sticking objects into outlets.

When to See a Doctor

If you experience an electrical injury, you should see a doctor immediately. You may have sustained internal damage that is not immediately apparent.

Frequently Asked Questions

First, ensure your own safety by not touching the victim if they are still in contact with the source. Call emergency services immediately. If it is safe to do so, turn off the power source or move the victim away from the electricity using a non-conductive object like wood or plastic. Begin CPR if the person is not breathing or has no pulse. Do not apply ice or ointments to the burn site, as this can worsen tissue damage.
Electrical current travels through the body, often causing internal damage that is not visible on the surface. An ECG is critical to detect arrhythmias or heart damage, while blood tests check for elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels, which indicate muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) that can lead to kidney failure. Even minor external burns can mask severe internal trauma.
Low-voltage injuries (under 500 volts) typically cause external burns and are less likely to cause deep internal damage, though they can still be dangerous. High-voltage injuries (over 500 volts) are far more severe; the current can cause deep tissue necrosis, bone fractures, and significant organ damage even if the external skin damage appears minimal. High-voltage injuries require immediate hospitalization and often surgical intervention.
Yes, delayed complications are common. Rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney failure days later if muscle breakdown products are not flushed out with IV fluids. Nerve damage may result in delayed pain, numbness, or weakness. Additionally, cataracts can develop months or years after a high-voltage injury, particularly if the head was involved.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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