How to Treat a Stingray Poisoning

There are over 35 species of marine animals referred to as stingrays. These triangular flat creatures have a tapering tail that is armed with one or more spines. Stingrays are rarely aggressive and will often flee when threatened. However, stingrays have been known to attack humans when they feel cornered or are accidently stepped on. Their reaction is to whip up the spine on their tail. This weapon's purpose is dual: it is razor-sharp and is coated with a toxic venom which can cause severe pain and swelling. In humans, the most common stingray injury is to the foot or leg area. Take these steps to treat a stingray poisoning.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Wash the wound with salt water.

2. Remove any debris from the wound area. Do not pour vinegar or urinate on the wound site.

3. Be prepared. In the first 60 minutes the patient may feel increased pain in the area of the sting, which may spread to cause swelling of the entire limb. The wound may turn blusih-white.

4. Contact an emergency room with the following information: the patient's age, weight, and condition (consious, unconscious), the type of stingray if you were able to identify it, the time the sting occurred, and the area of the body that was stung.

5. Follow hospital personnel's instructions regarding whether to transport the patient to the hospital, and any appropriate first aid that should be administered prior to arrival.

6. Expect the hospital to do some or all of the following: wash the area again, remove any foreign material possible, soak the wound, administer antitetanus and/or antibiotic if necessary, and to treat the patient's symptoms, which may include groin and/or armpit pain, bleeding, sweating, severe pain at site of sting, swelling, weakness, generalized cramps, headache, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, fainting, or paralysis.

7. Expect recovery to take about 24-48 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek medical attention immediately.

• Death has occurred when the patient's chest or abdomen was punctured.