Experiencing Ongoing Pain After Electrical Shock
17-year-old weighing 137 pounds Hello! Earlier today, I accidentally came into contact with a live electrical wire at my workplace around 7:54 PM. It's now 10:28 PM while I’m writing this, and I’m still feeling discomfort in my elbow. The initial shock occurred in my finger. Although there are no visible injuries, I’m experiencing a cold sensation that travels from my fingers up to my elbow. Should I be worried about this? It's been roughly two and a half hours since the incident.
Answers (1)
8/30/2025, 2:32:44 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned after experiencing an electrical shock, especially with lingering pain and unusual sensations. While you don't have visible injuries, the symptoms you're describing warrant careful attention. Here's what you should know:
Electrical shocks can cause a variety of effects, including nerve irritation, muscle contractions, and in some cases, damage to tissues not immediately visible. The cold sensation traveling from your fingers to your elbow may indicate nerve involvement or muscle spasms in response to the shock.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a close eye on how you feel over the next few hours. If the discomfort worsens, or if you start to feel additional symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, or swelling in your arm, it’s important to take that seriously.
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Rest the Affected Arm: Avoid using your arm too much to give it a chance to recover. Try to keep it elevated if possible.
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Apply Cold Therapy: Use a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on your elbow for 15-20 minutes every hour to help reduce any inflammation and alleviate pain.
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Pain Management: If you feel comfortable, you can take over-the-counter pain relief medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, following the dosing instructions on the package, to help ease your discomfort.
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Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help your body recover.
When to Seek Help:
- If your symptoms continue to worsen or don’t improve by tomorrow.
- If you develop additional symptoms like severe headaches, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
- If you experience persistent numbness, weakness, or any significant changes in your ability to use your arm.
Remember, when in doubt, it's always best to reach out to a healthcare professional for guidance, especially after an incident like this. Take care, and let me know if you have any further questions.
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