T75: Effects of other external causes

T75.0: Effects of lightning

A direct lightning strike can be harmful to health. But also if you are in the vicinity of a lightning strike you can suffer damage to health.

A lightning strike can cause a range of damage to health. The skin or hair may get burned, for example. The heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly after the lightning strike. There may also be damage to the brain or lungs. The lightning strike may also cause you to pass out. You can also suffer circulatory shock. A circulatory shock involves having major problems with the circulatory system. As a result, some areas of the body no longer get a sufficient supply of blood.

Health damage can also be caused by the impact and shock wave from the lightning strike. The shock wave can tear the eardrum, for example. The eardrum is a think membrane in the ear. The eardrum guides sound waves onward in the ear. The eyes can also be damaged.