MadSci Network: Medicine
Query:

Re: Mechanism behind electric 'ferning' burns?

Date: Mon Feb 28 08:39:52 2005
Posted By: Mark Torchia, Faculty, Clinical Research, St. Boniface General Hospital
Area of science: Medicine
ID: 1108956568.Me
Message:

This ferning (also called arborescent burn of lightning, feathering, and
Lichtenberg figures) is a rare finding in lightening strike victims
(although Lichtenberg figures can be created in all sorts of media). 

This is not a burn, yet the exact mechanism for causing the figures is
unknown. It is almost always transient (lasting hours to days.) In some
cases, they also disappear from skin in persons dying from the lightening
strike! 

It has been hypothesized that they only occur with a positively charged
lightening strike, hence their rare appearance. 

Under microscopic examination there are no visible changes to the cutaneous
tissues. Sometimes red blood cells are found in focal areas in the fatty
tissues. Overall, the exact mechanism has not been determined.

It would be unlikely, given their transient nature and lack of tissue
effect, that these would result in shock or lead to infection. They appear
to be quite benign.

Hope this answers your questions.



Current Queue | Current Queue for Medicine | Medicine archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Medicine.



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@madsci.org
© 1995-2005. All rights reserved.