What injuries do you get from being hit by lightning?

Lightning can also damage the nervous system, including the brain, causing seizures, loss of consciousness, or other abnormalities. Lightning is the second most frequent cause of storm-related deaths in the United States, resulting in about 30 deaths and several hundred injuries each year.

Can lightning cause paralysis?

Lightning strikes more often affect the central nervous system than the peripheral nerves [10, 11]. Furthermore, dysfunction of the autonomous nervous system may be induced, which leads to transient paralysis and paresthesia [10, 12].

Can fractures be caused by a lightning injury?

Fractures are uncommon and occur more rarely in lightning injuries than in high-voltage injuries. Organ contusions, pulmonary hemorrhage, and cardiac contusions have been reported but are rare. If the patient has a history of a fall or being thrown a distance, investigate for fractures and blunt injuries.

What is the greatest concern of a lightning strike injury?

The heat produced when lightning moves over the skin can produce burns, but the current moving through the body is of greatest concern. While the ability to survive any lightning strike is related to immediate medical attention, the amount of current moving through the body is also a factor.

Can a person be injured by a lightning strike?

If both the downward and upward stroke makes contact, a lightning strike is observed. It is important to realize that not all upward strokes result in a visible lightning strike; however, these strokes contain enough energy to cause potential electrical injury to a person.

How often does the Earth get struck by lightning?

Lightning strikes the earth approximately 8,000,000 times per day. Most of these strikes are benign and cause little damage to property or physical structures — and even less injury to humans. Because humans are rarely struck by lightning, this fascinating phenomenon is often disregarded as a potential immediate danger.

How are lightning strikes related to cardiac arrest?

Contrary to the normal thinking in initial rhythms in cardiac arrest, the lightning strike victim may be more viable in the initial asystolic cardiac rhythm. The ventricular fibrillation rhythm may reflect a severely acidic and hypoxic state associated with a secondary cardiac arrest that may be more difficult to resuscitate.

Is it safe to be inside during a lightning storm?

Even though your home is a safe shelter during a lightning storm, you may still be at risk. About one-third of lightning-strike injuries occur indoors. Here are some tips to keep safe and reduce your risk of being struck by lightning while indoors.