Stun gun or taser injury: Overview
Stun guns and tasers are called "electronic weapons." They are handheld weapons that use electricity to stun a person. The electricity causes uncontrollable muscle contractions. After being stunned with electricity, the person usually falls to the ground.
These weapons are less likely to cause death or injury than other weapons, such as handguns. But stun guns and tasers can cause serious medical problems, such as irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Other types of injuries include burns, cuts, muscle problems (rhabdomyolysis), twisting of a testicle (testicular torsion), and miscarriage.
How can you care for a stun gun injury?
- Put ice or a cold pack on the sore muscles for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
- You may also try heat for sore muscles. Put a warm water bottle, a heating pad set on low, or a warm cloth on the area. Put a thin cloth between the heating pad and your skin.
- Wash the area daily with warm water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
- Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Stun gun injury: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
- You have trouble breathing.
- Your urine looks pink or brown.
- You have new muscle pain or your pain gets worse.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You do not get better as expected.
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