Marine animal STINgs
If you are stung at a guarded beach, see the lifeguards on duty. They can render minor first-aid.
Injury Mechanism – Long blue threadlike tentacles. Signs and Symptoms – Stinging, burning, redness, swelling of lymph nodes. Long welt lines. Severe Reaction – Difficulty with breathing and or, altered level of consciousness. Treat these symptoms as a medical emergency
IMMEDIATE FIRST AID ADVICE:
1) Pick off any visible tentacles with small stick, or anything handy, being careful to avoid any further injury,
2) Rinse the sting thoroughly with salt or fresh water to remove any adhering tentacles.
3)Apply All-Stings to the stung area.
4) Apply ice (if available) to the stung area.
5) Consider even the slightest breathing difficulty or altered level of consciousness as a Medical Emergency.
Injury Mechanism – Translucent white or blue in color, has tentacles up to 70cm long, which can inflict agonizing stings.
IMMEDIATE FIRST AID ADVICE:
1) If you are stung at a guarded beach, see the lifeguards on duty. They can render first aid
2) Tentacles tend to cling to the skin. Remove by pulling in one direction and not rubbing.
3) Apply All-Stings to the affected area.
4) Apply ice (if available) to the stung area.
5) Consider even the slightest breathing difficulty or altered level of consciousness as a Medical Emergency.
Injury Mechanism – The mouth of an anemone is ringed with eight or more tentacles armed with stinging cells. The toxin is protein. Divers are frequently stung about the face and neck when diving.
The symptom – is a mild burning sensation at the affected area.
IMMEDIATE FIRST AID ADVICE:
1) Avoid touching the face and neck with contaminated gloves or hands.
2) Apply All-Stings to the affected areas.
3) If symptoms do not clear, obtain a suitable antibiotic cream.
Injury Mechanism – The most venomous known fish. It has a row of 13 venomous dorsal spines alond its back which project from venom glands. The venom is expelled when exposed to pressure. The symptom – the sting causes excruciating pain and swelling. The severity depends on the depth of penetration and number of spines involved and may result in death if not treated.
IMMEDIATE FIRST AID ADVICE:
1) If you are stung at a guarded beach, see the lifeguards on duty. They can render first aid.
2) Immerse the stung area in hot water.
3) Apply All-Stings to the affected areas.
4) Hospitalisation for intravenous narcotic analgesia, local anesthetic infiltration or regional block may be required.
5) Stonefish antivenom is usually given intramuscularly.
6) Antivenom is administered if: a) The victim suffers severe pain.b) if weakness and paralysis is observed. c) If there are multiple punctures, which indicate the discharge of several spines, indicating a large amount of venom.
Injury Mechanism – It has a bright yellow-green and brown skeletal covering, pitted by many tiny pores through which tentacles with nematocysts project. The toxin is a water soluble, thermolabile protein. A burning itch with pinpoint red lesions around the area of contact is common, followed by swelling and welts.
IMMEDIATE FIRST AID ADVICE:
1) Apply All-Stings to the affected area.
2) If toxins cause vomiting, restore body fluids and electrolytes (eight level teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a litre of water)
Injury Mechanism – Most sea urchins have solid spines and are harmless to humans, but few species have long, lance-like spines with backward pointing serrations which can penetrate a victim’s skin quite deeply before breaking off in the wound. The symptom – A severe pain at the point of penetration lasting up to four hours. The area around the puncture becomes numb and black or violet in colour. The wound may become infected and slough in a few days. The whole area will develop a radiating kind of ache.
Needle Urchin – Occurring from the Transkei coast northwards, these black and blue sea urchins have very long, needle sharp spines.
Flower Urchin – The most venomous of all sea urchins, these species have short, thick, white-tipped spines but real danger lies in its many beautiful flower like pincers armed with lethal poison glands.
IMMEDIATE FIRST AID ADVICE:
1) If you are stung at a guarded beach, see the lifeguards on duty. They can render first aid.
2) Immerse the stung area in hot water.
3) Apply All-Stings to the affected areas.
4) Hospitalisation for intravenous narcotic analgesia, local anesthetic infiltration or regional block may be required.
5) Stonefish antivenom is usually given intramuscularly.
6) Antivenom is administered if: a) The victim suffers severe pain.b) if weakness and paralysis is observed. c) If there are multiple punctures, which indicate the discharge of several spines, indicating a large amount of venom.
Injury Mechanism – The fern like hydroids, toothed-feather and fire hydroid are common along coasts and cause intense burns, swelling and painful itches. Reaction to the stings varies from mild to extreme pain over the first ten minutes. The appearance is that of patchy area of red skin with raised pinpoint lesions, developing welts within the first hour. DO NOT apply vinegar, it has been shown to activate the discharge mechanisms of the nematocysts
IMMEDIATE FIRST AID ADVICE:
1) Douse the stung area with water, and dry off.
2) Apply All-Stings to the affected area.
3) Apply ice (if available) to the stung area.