Electrical Burns

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Signs/Symptoms

• First-degree burns are mild and injure only the outer layer of skin. The skin becomes red, but turns white when touched. The area may also be painful to the touch.
• Second-degree burns are deeper, more severe, and very painful. Blisters may form on the burned area. This type of burn takes about 2 weeks to heal.
• Third-degree burns are the deepest and most serious kind. The skin becomes white and leathery, but it does not feel very tender when touched.

Causes

Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Soak the burned skin in cold water for about 10 minutes.
• Gently wash the burn with warm, soapy water. Pat it dry with a clean towel, and cover it with a clean, dry bandage.
• You will need to clean the burn and put on a new bandage once a day. Be sure that everything that touches the burn is clean. Only use the burn medicine prescribed by your doctor. When changing bandages:
  • Wash your hands well with soap and water. Dry them with a clean towel.
  • Remove the outer bandage by cutting it off with a pair of scissors. Do not pull off the bandage if it is sticking to the burn. Instead, soak it in warm water for a few minutes and then remove it slowly.
  • Gently wash the burn with warm, soapy water. Use a clean, soft washcloth to help remove any old cream, blood, and loose skin. Do not break blisters. This may increase the pain.
  • Rinse the burn with clear warm water. Pat dry with a clean towel.
  • With a clean tongue depressor, apply a thin layer of the antibiotic cream prescribed by your doctor to a gauze pad. Throw the tongue depressor away when you're done. Do NOT put it back in the container of antibiotic cream.
  • Cover the burn with the gauze. Be careful not to touch the gauze that comes in contact with the burn. Carefully rewrap the burn with a clean bandage as directed by your doctor.
• Keep the bandage clean and dry. Change it if it gets wet.
• If the burn is on your arm or leg, keep it raised or propped up for the first 24 hours to help reduce swelling.
• You may use aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for pain.
• Try to drink plenty of water or juice.
• Do not bump or overuse the burned area.
• For mouth burns (often suffered by children):
  • Feed the child bland, soft, cold foods such as baby foods, soft cooked eggs, cooked cereal, ice cream, and yogurt. Give lots of liquids such as water, milk, and fruit juices.
  • Brush the child's teeth 3 or 4 times a day. Use a soft toothbrush, with or without toothpaste.
  • If the child is given a special device called a microstoma to help prevent scarring, use it exactly as directed.
• To prevent electrical burns:
  • Never stick foreign objects into an electrical plug. Cover unused electrical outlets with childproof plug covers, available in hardware stores and the baby section of department stores.
  • Do not use electrical appliances near standing or running water.
  • Do NOT stick forks or knives into toasters or other appliances when they are plugged in.
  • Repair or replace any frayed or worn electrical cords. Teach children to NEVER suck or chew on these cords.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You develop increasing pain and redness around the burn, or a bad-smelling drainage comes from the burn. These are signs of infection.
• You develop a high temperature.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• You have swelling, numbness, or tingling below a burn on your arm or leg.
• A child with a burn has trouble swallowing or breathing.