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Electrical Shock Injuries

An electrical shock can do far more damage inside the body than it shows on the skin. Never touch someone who is still in contact with the power, call 911 for any serious shock or lightning strike, and get checked even if the person seems fine.

Call 911 for an electrical injury. MedlinePlus says anyone with an electrical injury should see a doctor, because there may be internal damage they don’t realize (MedlinePlus), and the American Burn Association says all electrical injuries need emergency care, even if the person seems fine (American Burn Association). Call right away for:

Don’t touch the person while they are still in contact with the source. Do not touch the injured person until you are sure the power is off (American Burn Association). If you can do it safely, turn the power off first and make sure it is really off. Never touch a fallen power line (CDC); stay well away and report it to the utility company right away. High-voltage current can arc from a line to a nearby person or object (Sanford & Gamelli, 2014).

Once it is safe, check breathing and pulse, and start CPR if needed (American Burn Association). People struck by lightning don’t carry an electrical charge, so it is safe to touch them and start CPR straight away (CDC).

What is an electrical injury?

An electrical injury is damage to the skin or internal organs when electric current passes through the body. It can come from lightning, faulty electrical appliances, household wiring or power lines, work-related exposures, and small children biting or sucking on cords or sticking objects into outlets (MedlinePlus).

Why it can be worse inside than it looks

Electrical injuries can be external, internal or both, and a person may have internal damage and not realize it (MedlinePlus). The current creates heat that can harm deeper tissues, nerves and the heart even when the skin looks okay (American Burn Association). Electrical injury more closely resembles a crush injury than a thermal injury, and what shows on the outside often understates the deeper wounds (Martinez & Nguyen, 2000). The full degree of injury is often not apparent at first (Spies & Trohman, 2006). How bad it is depends on the strength and type of current, the path it takes through the body, how long contact lasts, the person’s health and how quickly they get treatment (MedlinePlus).

What electricity does to the body

Problems that can show up later

Neurologic, psychological and physical problems may begin 1 to 5 or more years after the injury (Wesner & Hickie, 2013).

Our Anxiety and Depression guides may help. See also our PTSD, Nerve Damage and Rapid Heartbeat guides.

How common is it?

Electrical injury is relatively infrequent but can be devastating (Koumbourlis, 2002). A 2006 review estimated that about 3,000 people who survive an electrical shock are admitted to specialized burn units each year (Spies & Trohman, 2006). Most injuries in adults happen at work, while children are hurt mainly at home (Koumbourlis, 2002). The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 130 workers killed by exposure to electricity in 2024 and 142 in 2023 (BLS). Lightning killed 517 people in the U.S. from 2006 through 2025, and almost 90% of people struck survive (CDC).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Emergency evaluation with an ECG and heart monitoring when needed, blood and urine tests for muscle damage, burn and wound care, burn-center care for serious injuries, follow-up for the eyes and nerves, and rehabilitation and mental health support. Costs depend on how serious the injury is. A 12-lead EKG was listed at about $32 and $113 in two cash-price listings, with a $99 median hospital cash price, and an uninsured, non-critical ER visit is commonly about $1,500–$3,500, more with scans or admission (The Pricer, September 2026). Medicare Part B usually pays the full cost of diagnostic lab tests, charges a copayment for each ER visit plus 20% of the doctor’s fee after the deductible, and a hospital stay has a $1,736 Part A deductible in 2026, then $0 a day for days 1–60. For inpatient rehabilitation care, Medicare Part A covers medically necessary care in a rehabilitation hospital or unit: in 2026, after the $1,736 deductible you pay $0 a day for days 1–60 and $434 a day for days 61–90 of a benefit period, and you do not pay a second deductible if you are transferred straight from a hospital or admitted within 60 days of leaving one (Medicare.gov). Burn-center and surgery costs: being researched. A brief household shock with no symptoms often needs no tests. Serious injuries may need hospital or burn-center care, surgery and rehabilitation; nerve, memory, sleep or mood problems can appear months or years later.
Chiropractic No role in caring for an electrical injury. We found no studies. Not a treatment for electrical injury, so no cost is listed. Ordinary back or neck pain later can be cared for separately, but only after the medical team has ruled out fractures and spine or nerve injuries.
Acupuncture No role in emergency care. Some people try it later for long-lasting pain, alongside medical care. Acupuncture for long-lasting pain after recovery: a first private visit ran about $125–$230 and follow-ups about $90–$185, with community clinics about $50–$90 a visit (The Pricer, updated September 15, 2026). Medicare Part B covers acupuncture only for chronic low back pain, so it does not cover it for other kinds of pain; for covered back pain you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible (Medicare.gov). Other costs: being researched. Little research for electrical injury — we found a single case report and no trials.
Herbal medicine No herb or supplement treats an electrical injury. No butter, oils or home remedies on burns. Not recommended, so no cost is listed. Some herbs interact with medicines, so tell your care team about anything you take.
Massage therapy Later, scar massage on fully healed skin and help with muscle tension, only with your medical or burn team’s OK. At three Massage Envy locations listed by a cost guide, a 60-minute massage for non-members was priced at $125, $145 and $160; prices vary by location and are not a national rate (The Pricer, August 2026). Original Medicare does not cover massage therapy, so you pay all costs (Medicare.gov). Scar massage or burn-clinic therapy visits: being researched. In burn survivors, scar massage may ease scar pain, itch and anxiety. No studies look at electrical injuries specifically.
MBHA Wellness Coach Recovery support (sleep, fear or flashbacks, returning to work), a home electrical safety check, child safety and lightning safety. Included with a paid MBHA membership: a monthly wellness coaching email from a certified Holistic Health & Lifestyle Coach and a complimentary Clarity Call (based on availability). Membership is $150 a year for one adult ($15 a month if billed monthly), $200 a year for a couple and $250 a year for a household with dependents; the free tier has occasional email tips only. Members also get discounted rates on one-on-one coaching and group programs (current rates are not published on the membership page, so ask MBHA). Coaching is educational and motivational, not healthcare. Simple steps — GFCIs, outlet covers, safe cords, going indoors in storms — lower the risk. Coaching works alongside the care team, never instead of it.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

Start with safe first aid and call 911 (see First aid, step by step below). Care then depends on the type and strength of the current, how long the person was in contact, its path through the body, and their overall health (MedlinePlus).

1. Emergency evaluation and heart monitoring

Doctors work out the path the current took through the body and look for possible internal injury (Waldmann et al., 2018), including a full neurologic examination on arrival (Sanford & Gamelli, 2014). An electrocardiogram (ECG) checks the heart rhythm. The main worry in a person who seems stable is a delayed heart rhythm problem, so some people need monitoring for at least 24 hours, while selected people with a low-voltage injury, no fainting and a normal ECG may reasonably go home from the emergency room (Waldmann et al., 2018). In an Australian series, people with no symptoms and a normal ECG after a low-voltage injury did not need ECG monitoring, while those with significant symptoms or ECG changes were admitted for monitoring and observation (Blackwell & Hayllar, 2002). A Czech study of 333 cases found that every dangerous rhythm happened right after the injury and no delayed life-threatening rhythms were seen; its authors concluded that people with no symptoms, no other injury and a normal first ECG do not need continuous monitoring (Seyfrydova et al., 2023). Whether to monitor is the doctor’s call.

2. Tests and treatment for muscle damage

Because muscle breakdown releases myoglobin, doctors check the urine for it, since it puts the kidneys at risk; if it is found, treatment is aggressive fluids through a vein (Sanford & Gamelli, 2014). After an initial CT scan to rule out a correctable cause, neurologic problems are followed with repeat exams (Sanford & Gamelli, 2014). In the Czech series, doctors also checked blood salts such as potassium and calcium; people with an imbalance had more rhythm problems (Seyfrydova et al., 2023). Damaged tissue that has died must be evaluated and removed, and a swollen, tight muscle compartment needs prompt attention (Sanford & Gamelli, 2014).

3. Burn and wound care

Serious burns may need wound care and surgery (American Burn Association). Hospital burn treatment may include cleaning and dressing the wound, fluids through a vein, surgery to repair or rebuild skin, and pain medicine chosen by the care team — we don’t list doses (NHS). See our Burns guide for more on burn care.

4. Burn-center referral

The American Burn Association’s guidelines, written for clinicians, recommend immediate consultation with a burn center, considering transfer, for all high-voltage (1,000 volts or more) and lightning injuries. For low-voltage injuries they recommend consultation and considering burn-center follow-up to screen for late symptoms and vision problems (ABA referral guidelines).

5. Follow-up for the eyes and nerves

Recovery may include heart monitoring and monitoring for nerve or organ damage (American Burn Association). Report any new blurry or cloudy vision, since cataracts can develop over time (Sanford & Gamelli, 2014), and any numbness, weakness, pain or memory problems. Lightning can injure the eardrum (Gordon et al., 1995) and cause ringing in the ears (National Weather Service), so mention hearing changes too.

6. Rehabilitation and mental health

Physical therapy, counselors and survivor groups are part of recovery (American Burn Association). Research on rehabilitation after electrical injury is still mostly case reports, and a 2025 review called for team-based care covering physical, psychological and social needs (Zahir et al., 2025). Because sleep problems, anxiety, PTSD and depression are common, screening for mental health concerns is important (Radulovic et al., 2019).

What it costs

Emergency care, monitoring, burn-center care, surgery and rehabilitation: cost estimate being researched.

How well it works — what to expect

Both low-voltage and high-voltage injuries can be fatal, but high-voltage injuries more often cause serious tissue destruction (Martinez & Nguyen, 2000). People who are successfully resuscitated after cardiac arrest often have a favorable outlook (Spies & Trohman, 2006). Many people return to work and life with early treatment and ongoing care (American Burn Association): in one study, 61% of people injured at work went back to their old job and 19% could not return to any work (Radulovic et al., 2019).

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care has no role in caring for an electrical or lightning injury. A search of the medical literature (October 2026) found no studies of chiropractic care or spinal manipulation for these injuries.

A strong shock can throw a person, and violent muscle contractions can break bones (Sanford & Gamelli, 2014). If you have back or neck pain later, make sure your medical team has checked for fractures and spine or nerve injuries first. Spinal manipulation often causes short-lived soreness or stiffness; serious problems are very rare but have been reported (NCCIH).

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has no role in emergency care. There is little research for electrical injury: we found a single case report, in which one person with brain injury after electrical trauma improved during months of acupuncture; its authors say more research is needed (case report, 2023). One case cannot show that acupuncture caused the improvement.

Acupuncture may help some other kinds of pain, such as back, neck or knee pain (NCCIH), but whether it helps nerve pain after an electrical injury is unknown. If you try it, use it alongside medical care and choose a licensed practitioner who uses sterile, single-use needles; poor technique can cause infections or injury (NCCIH).

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

No herb or supplement treats an electrical injury or repairs hidden damage to the heart, muscles or nerves.

No home remedies on electrical burns. Don’t put ice on the burn, and don’t use butter, oils or ointments, which trap heat (American Burn Association); the NHS also says not to use creams, oils, butter, plasters or sticky dressings on a burn (NHS). Cover it with a clean, dry cloth and get emergency care (American Burn Association).

Some herbs interact with medicines — St. John’s wort, for example, has a high overall risk of drug interactions, including with some antidepressants (NCCIH). Tell your care team and pharmacist about every herb and supplement you take. We don’t list doses.

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

Massage has no place in emergency care. Later, once your medical or burn team says it is safe, it may help with scars and muscle tension. Never massage open or unhealed skin.

No studies we found look at electrical injuries specifically; the evidence comes from burn scars. Massaging healed scars with lotion can make them less sensitive, ease itching and make stretching easier — gently while scars are fragile (MSKTC). A 2023 review of 7 studies (420 burn patients) found scar massage reduced pain, itch and anxiety (review, 2023). Massage is generally low risk, but rare serious problems such as nerve injury or blood clots have been reported (NCCIH), so tell your therapist about your injury and any numb areas.

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

An MBHA Wellness Coach can support recovery and help lower the risk of another shock — always alongside the care team, never instead of it.

Recovery support

Home safety audit

The Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests checking your home’s electrical products every six months (CPSC). A coach can walk through it with you: GFCIs, cords, water and electricity, and outlet covers for children — see Preventing shocks at home and work below.

Lightning safety

“When thunder roars, go indoors” (National Weather Service). A coach can help families, teams and outdoor workers make a storm plan — see Lightning safety below.

Another approach

First aid, step by step

Your own safety comes first: do not touch the injured person until you are sure the power is off (American Burn Association).

Shock from household current or a machine

  1. Don’t touch the person while they may still be in contact with the source (American Burn Association).
  2. Turn off the power if you can do it safely, and make sure it is really off before you touch anyone (American Burn Association).
  3. Call 911 right away — don’t delay (American Burn Association).
  4. If the power can’t be turned off, stay back and let emergency responders and the utility make it safe; don’t try to pull the person free yourself (American Burn Association).
  5. Check breathing and pulse; start CPR if needed (American Burn Association).
  6. Burns: cover with a clean, dry cloth (American Burn Association). Don’t use ice, butter, oils or ointments (American Burn Association).
  7. Stay with them until help arrives. Falls and violent muscle contractions can break bones (Sanford & Gamelli, 2014), so don’t move them unless there is danger such as fire.

Power lines

Never touch a fallen power line (CDC). Stay well away from fallen lines, poles and wires, which can electrocute you, and report them to the utility company immediately. Call 911 for anyone hurt, but don’t go near them until the power is off.

Lightning strike

It is safe to touch the person. Call 911 — a cell phone is safe to use in a storm — and begin mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths if you are trained, or chest compressions if there is no pulse (CDC). Keep going until help arrives. Move the person only if it is safe, and don’t move anyone who is bleeding or may have broken bones (CDC).

Another approach

When to get checked, even if the person seems fine

All electrical burns need medical evaluation, even if mild (American Burn Association), and anyone with an electrical injury should see a doctor (MedlinePlus). A doctor may decide that monitoring is not needed after a minor low-voltage shock with no symptoms and a normal ECG (Blackwell & Hayllar, 2002), but that is the doctor’s call. Be sure to get checked if:

Later, see your doctor about new vision changes, numbness, pain, memory problems, poor sleep, low mood or anxiety (Wesner & Hickie, 2013).

Another approach

Lightning safety

“When thunder roars, go indoors.” No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area, and if you can hear thunder you are likely within striking distance (National Weather Service).

Another approach

Preventing shocks at home and work

At home

  • GFCIs. A ground fault circuit interrupter is an inexpensive device that cuts the power in a fraction of a second to prevent a severe shock (CPSC). The CPSC recommends them in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, unfinished basements, near laundry tubs and outdoors, and testing them monthly (CPSC).
  • Cords and plugs. Replace frayed or cracked cords, keep cords from under rugs and furniture, don’t use extension cords as permanent wiring, and never break off a plug’s ground pin (CPSC).
  • Water and electricity. If an appliance gets wet, unplug it before touching it (CPSC).
  • Any shock is a warning. If an appliance gives you even a slight shock, switch it off at the breaker and have an electrician check it (CPSC).

For children

At work

  • Common causes of workplace electrical injuries include contact with power lines, missing ground-fault protection and misused extension cords (OSHA).
  • Only qualified workers should do electrical work, turning off and locking out circuits and checking the power is off; others should stay 10 feet from live parts (CDC/NIOSH). Fatal falls from height often involve ladders that touch overhead power lines, so keep ladders and poles well clear of them (CDC/NIOSH).

Member stories

Living with Electrical Shock Injuries? Share your experience

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Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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