Fire coral envenomation
Revision as of 06:53, 27 November 2021 by Rossdonaldson1 (talk | contribs)
Background
- Location is worldwide (excluding Hawaii) in reefs & shallow waters.[1]
- White to yellow-green appearance that are fixed to rocks and coral.[2]
- They possess tentacles that extend upward & are roughly 2m in length.[3]
Nematocyst Mechanism
- Physical contact or osmotic gradient causes discharge of nematocysts
- A spring loaded venom delivery system
- Once opened, a nematocyst releases all of its contained venom
Clinical Features
- Contact with tentacles causes painful, urticarial lesions that may become hemorrhagic and ulcerate.[4]
- Symptoms can last up to 72 hours with skin hyperpigmentation that can last for several weeks.[5]
Differential Diagnosis
Marine toxins, envenomations, and bites
- Toxins
- Ciguatera
- Scombroid
- Tetrodotoxin (e.g. pufferfish)
- Shellfish poisoning
- Amnesic shellfish poisoning
- Diarrheal shellfish poisoning
- Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning
- Paralytic shellfish poisoning
- Stingers
- Venomous fish
- Cone shell
- Lionfish
- Sea urchins
- Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
- Stonefish
- Other: Catfish, zebrafish, scorpion fish
- Nematocysts
- Coral reef
- Fire coral
- Jellyfish (Cnidaria)
- Portuguese man-of-war
- Sea anemones
- Seabather's eruption
- Phylum porifera (sponges)
- Bites
- Infections
Evaluation
Workup
- Typically not required
Diagnosis
- Typically clinical
Management
- Pain is best managed with vinegar[6]
- Steroid cream and oral antihistamines can be used for mild urticaria.[7]
- If severe, oral steroids may be warranted.[8]
Disposition
- If hemodynamically stable, patient may be discharged home
See Also
References
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.
- ↑ Hauglid, Christopher, DO, et al. “EMERGEN-SEA MEDICINE: An Overview of Sea Urchins, Coral, Starfish, and More.” ACEP Now, vol. 40, no. 7, 2021, pp. 8–9.