The most common negative problem with DCS is skin burns or irritation. Except in extremely rare cases, such as equipment malfunction, the “burns” are itchy and red, not blistering. The next most common problem is skin irritation (people often say it feels “itchy”) during the stimulation. Common skin issues, such as dry skin, are thought to increase the risk of these problems.
Unlike ECT or TMS, DCS is not thought to cause seizures. However, some laboratories still will screen out people with seizure risks out of an abundance of caution.