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Changes in the Skin as a Result of Electric Current

1958; American Medical Association; Volume: 78; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1001/archderm.1958.01560090102020

1538-3652

Louis H. Winer,

Ocular and Laser Science Research

An electric current passing through the skin produces changes which may be due to the electric current alone. More frequently, however, they are due to a combination of electric current and heat. Electric burns occur at the point of entrance and exit of the current. This is explained by the fact that the skin offers the greatest resistance to passage of the electric current and thereby causes the generation of heat. Jaffé l stated that, owing to this resistance, the most evident changes produced are in the skin. An electric burn may first appear as a pale crusted superficial ulcer. It may be a pointed or linear elevation of the epidermis, white or gray-yellow in color. The middle of this elevation has linear indentations. At its base and borders the coloration is mostly grayishblack and at times even ruddy. The involved skin feels hard and firm.