WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
A lightning strike sends a strong electrical charge
either through the body or over its surface. If it hits you or
something close to you, lightening can cause serious injury.
You may get burned if you have any metal on your body (a belt
buckle, a zipper, or coins, for example). After a mild
lightening injury, you will usually feel better within hours or
days. A severe injury, however, can cause lasting damage to the
brain, nerves, eyes, or ears, and may even be fatal. To
avoid being struck by lightening, stay away from anything made
from metal, such as wire fences, umbrellas, pipelines, metal
clotheslines, and golf clubs, during an electrical storm. Also
avoid standing near trees, in a clearing, or on a
hilltop.
Signs/Symptoms
In some cases, you may be hit by lightening and not even
know it. A mild strike may cause pain, headache, confusion,
tingling, numbness, or weakness, sometimes accompanied by
difficulties with vision, hearing, and memory. In a severe
strike, the blast of electricity may tear the clothing or shoes
from your body. Burns may not be visible at first, but may
appear hours later. You may have broken bones, and if the heart
is severely injured, it may stop.
Care
For anything more than a mild
injury,
call 911 or 0 (operator) for help. A severe lightning
injury is an
EMERGENCY. The victim may need CPR if the heartbeat or
breathing has stopped. Hospitalization is needed for tests and
treatment. Even if the injury is mild, you should check
with your doctor. You may need medicine for pain and swelling,
and the doctor may feel you need a tetanus shot.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following procedures and equipment
during your stay:
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Oxygen: Your body may need extra oxygen at this
time. It is given either by a mask or nasal prongs. Tell
your doctor if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the
nasal prongs bother you.
-
Pulse Oximeter: While you are getting oxygen, you
may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is
placed on your ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a
machine. It measures the oxygen in your
blood.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Blood: Usually taken for tests from a vein in your
hand or from the bend in your elbow.
-
Blood Gases: For this test blood is taken from an
artery in your wrist, elbow, or groin. It is tested to see
how much oxygen it contains.
-
Chest X-ray: This picture of your lungs and heart
will help the doctor find any damage that may have
occurred.
-
CT Scan: (Also called a ""CAT'' scan.) This
computerized x-ray is also used to detect internal
injuries.
-
ECG: (Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph [e-LEC tro-CAR-dee-o-graf], or EKG.)
Patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or
a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a
tracing of each heartbeat. The heart is controlled by
electrical currents, so the doctor will watch it
closely.
-
EEG: (Also called an electroencephalogram
[e-LEC-tro-en-SEF-uh-lo-gram].) This is a brainwave study.
Electricity can have drastic effects on the brain, so this
test will also be carefully examined.
-
ET Tube: A tube inserted through either the mouth or
nose and down into the windpipe. It is often hooked up to a
breathing machine. You will not be able to talk while the
tube is in place.
-
Ventilator: A special machine used to help with
breathing.
-
Foley Catheter: A tube put into the bladder to drain
the urine. The catheter will be removed when you can
urinate on your own.
-
Strict Intake/Output: Care givers will carefully
watch how much liquid you are getting and how much you are
urinating.
-
Neuro Signs: Care givers will look at your eyes, see
how easily you awaken, and check your memory to help them
determine how well your brain is
functioning.
After You Leave
-
Your doctor may ask you to see an eye or an ear
doctor. You may need to make an appointment with a
neurologist who will check you for long-term damage to your
brain or nerves.
-
To lessen pain and swelling of burns, keep the
injured area raised above the level of your heart as much
as possible. Do not use the injured area too much until it
heals.
-
If you have a bandage, keep it clean and
dry.
-
To change the bandage:
-
Unwrap it slowly and carefully. If it sticks, soak
it in warm water.
-
Rinse the wound off and pat it dry with a clean
towel.
-
Your doctor will tell you how long to leave the
bandage on.
-
Clean the wound 2 to 3 times a day with mild soap and
water or a solution of half hydrogen peroxide and half
water.
-
To clean mouth and lip wounds, rinse your mouth after
meals and at bedtime with a product suggested by your
doctor. Do NOT swallow the mixture.
-
For scalp wounds:
-
You may wash your hair gently after you get
home.
-
After that, keep your hair dry until the day you
have your stitches removed.
-
Ask your doctor when to return for a wound check and
when to have your stitches removed.
-
If you have an eye patch, leave it on until your
doctor says it is safe to remove it.
-
If you are given a tetanus shot, your arm may get
swollen, red, and warm to the touch at the site of the
injection. This is a normal response to the medicine in the
shot.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have increasing pain, blurred vision, trouble
hearing, worsening headaches, numbness or tingling in your
arms or legs, or increasing weakness--even long after the
injury. Some of these problems may not show up right
away.
-
You develop a rapid heartbeat, your heart skips
beats, or you have chest pain.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You cannot move your arms or legs, lose your vision,
lose consciousness, or have sudden or severe
headaches.
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