Octopus bite
Contents
Background
- Blue-ringed octopus (genus Hapalochlaena) is commonly cited venomous octopus
- Venom contains tetrodotoxin, which inhibits voltage-gated Na+ channels --> paralysis
- Potentially lethal
- Becomes bright yellow with blue rings when provoked
Clinical Features
- Local erythema
- Paresthesias
- Flaccid paralysis
- Respiratory failure
Differential Diagnosis
Marine toxins, envenomations, and bites
- Toxins
- Stingers
- Venomous fish (catfish, zebrafish, scorpion fish, stonefish)
- Nematocysts
- Coral reef
- Fire coral
- Jellyfish (Cnidaria)
- Portuguese man-of-war
- Sea anemones
- Seabather's eruption
- Phylum porifera (sponges)
- Bites
- Infections
Evaluation
- Clinical diagnosis
Management
- Supportive treatment only; no antivenom exists