Electrical safety for burns and how to treat them
Even while many of us know that the easiest way to avoid electrical burns is to hire a professional electrician. But it is equally vital to know how to treat these injuries if they do occur. Our electrical Swansea team take precautions every day with electrical safety to avoid this from happening.
Various types of electric burns
Treatment for electrical burns varies depending on the nature and severity of the burn.
Superficial burns
Electrical burns on the superficial skin layer are usually minimal and only affect a limited area of the body.
Symptoms
Symptoms that you’ve suffered a superficial electrical burn include the following:
- It hurts a lot.
- A reddish tint to the skin.
- A buildup of fluid.
- Touching the skin causes it to turn white.
Partial thickness burns
Depending on the extent of the burns, they can be called serious if they cover more than a few inches in diameter. Furthermore, if the burns occur in the following locations, they may be deemed severe:
- Across two fingers on each hand.
- The bottom of your feet.
- Your face.
- The pelvic areas.
- Around or over your mouth.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a partial-thickness electrical burn are as follows:
- It hurts a lot.
- A reddish tint to the skin.
- A buildup of fluid.
- Intensely stimulating.
Full thickness burns
When it comes to electrical safety, full-thickness electrical burns are the most serious of all electrical burns. This is because they affect the tissues beneath the skin as well as the outer layers.
Symptoms
If you’ve suffered a full-thickness electrical burn, you’ll notice these symptoms:
- A reddish tint to the skin.
- A buildup of fluid.
- Intensely acrid.
- Numbness in the area affected.
- The appearance of the affected area becomes either white or black.
The best way to treat electrical burns
To minimise future damage, it is critical to take the necessary actions as soon as possible while treating any type of burn.
Mild partial thickness burns and superficial burns
Treatment for minor partial-thickness and superficial electrical burns should be as follows:
- Soak, run under a tap, or use a compress to apply cold water to the affected area. However, iced or ice-cold water should not be used to treat burns.
- Before applying sterile dressing to the wound, make sure the area is clean and dry. This will prevent the wound from being irritated and perhaps infected by any friction.
- Do not use any further lotions or ointments on the burn. Instead, clean it thoroughly and properly dress it.
- In the event of discomfort or swelling following a burn, turn to over-the-counter analgesics.
Severe partial thickness burns and full thickness burns
People who become a part of an electrical circuit run the risk of suffering from severe partial-thickness burns and full-thickness burns. As a result, extra precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of the injured individual as well as those in close proximity.
- Right away, the power must be shut off.
- No one else is allowed to come in contact with the subject.
- It is imperative that you contact 999 or your local emergency services right away to receive further medical attention.
Conclusion
Even if an accident does occur, being prepared to minimise the damage is just as vital as taking proper safeguards. For any further information on electrical safety, feel free to contact our Swansea electrical team.