Electrical burns are among the most dangerous burn types because visible skin damage does not reflect the true extent of internal injury. Electric current passes through the body causing damage to muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and internal organs, while external skin may appear relatively unharmed.
Hidden Dangers of Electrical Burns:
- Heart damage: Cardiac arrhythmias can occur even hours after injury, requiring cardiac monitoring.
- Muscle destruction: Rhabdomyolysis can cause acute kidney failure if untreated.
- Spinal injuries: Violent muscle contractions can cause vertebral fractures.
- Nerve damage: Numbness and weakness in extremities may appear later.
- Compartment syndrome: Muscle swelling within fascial compartments can cut off blood supply.
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we follow comprehensive British protocols for evaluating electrical burns including blood, cardiac, and renal tests. Dr. Tariq Rabah emphasizes that every electrical burn deserves urgent medical evaluation regardless of its external appearance.