# High voltage hobby; electrical burn following fractal wood burning: A case report

## TL;DR

A 37-year-old artist suffered severe electrical burns from fractal wood burning, highlighting the risks of this high-voltage hobby.

## Contribution

This case report emphasizes the under-recognized danger of electrical burns from fractal wood burning.

## Key findings

- Fractal wood burning can cause full thickness electrical burns.
- The patient required synthetic dermal substitute for wound reconstruction.

## Abstract

Fractal wood burning is a form of pyrography art, creating Lichtenberg figures (intricate fern-like patterns) in wood using high voltage electricity. The electrical device used is commonly constructed using a high voltage transformer from a home microwave oven. This popular but dangerous art technique has resulted in electrical injuries with exceedingly high mortality rates. Presented is the case of a 37-year-old female artist who sustained an electrical injury from fractal wood burning resulting in full thickness burns to her hands. The burn wounds were reconstructed using a synthetic dermal substitute. This case report highlights the dangers associated with fractal burning, in particular the risk of high voltage electrical burns.