Are Lichtenberg Scars Permanent?

The fern-like patterns, known as Lichtenberg figures, occur when an electricity surge causes blood vessels to burst. In most cases, the marks are not permanent and can even disappear in just a couple of days.

Do lightning strikes leave scars?

The odds of getting struck by lightning in any given year are about 1 in 300,000. And although roughly 90% of those struck survive, the electrical discharge scars some of them with a tattoo-like mark, known as the Lichtenberg figure. ... The blistering heat, light, and electricity can also damage your eyes.

Do Lichtenberg scars hurt?

While the exact process on the body is unknown, several medical journals say it's likely the surge of electricity during a strike bursting capillaries and causing red blood cell leakage to rise to the skin surface in an unusual pattern. The Lichtenberg figures tend to go away in a few days and are relatively painless.