Marine Sting
Mechanism
- Punctures skin to introduce venom
- Generally local symptoms without systemic effects
Symptoms
- Vary with species
- Generally local pain
- Systemic symptoms can include vomiting, hypotension, muscle cramps, paralysis, cardiac arrest
Treatment
- supportive
- If visible remove spines and stinger
- Immediately immerse wound in hot water (45°C for 30-90min)
- Hot water breaks down venom
- An alternative theory is that HWI causes modulation of pain receptors in the nervous system leading to a reduction in pain
- Clean area
- Tetanus prophylaxis
- Antivenom exists for stonefish toxicity
Sources
- Atkinson PRT. Is hot water immersion an effective treatment for marine envenomation? Emergency Medicine Journal. 2006;23(7):503–508. doi:10.1136/emj.2005.028456.