A stingray sting is one common beach injury caused by a stingray. Generally, these are aquatic animals that have a flat body with long, slender tails with serrated spines which contains the venom. In addition, the serrated spines of the stingray’s tail can cause lacerations and/or puncture wounds which may result in bleeding.
The size of a stingray’s spine depends on the size of the stingray itself and what type of it is. Furthermore, the size of the wound caused by the stingray’s spine ranges from a toothpick-like size to a pencil size.
A stingray sting can be accompanied by numerous symptoms, and in extreme cases, it may lead to death.
What are the signs?
Other signs and symptoms of a stingray sting include:
- At first, an immediate sharp, excruciating pain
- Bleeding from the site of the sting
Discoloration to a bluish or reddish color of the skin around the sting. - Swelling at the site of the sting
- Discoloration to a bluish or reddish color of the skin around the sting
- Swollen lymph nodes
- In addition, nausea or vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle cramps
- Paralysis
- Fainting
- Seizures
- Increased heart rate
- Lastly, a decrease in blood pressure
First aid care for a stingray sting
To treat a stingray sting while waiting for medical attention, these guidelines should be followed:
- At first, clean the wound with fresh water
- To relieve the pain, soak the wound in water as hot as the person can tolerate
- Use tweezers to remove the stingers
- Use soap and fresh water to clean the wound
- Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding
- Apply an antibiotic ointment if any signs of infection arise such as pus or redness.
- Lastly, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the injured person if necessary
If there’s infection caused by the wound, intake of oral antibiotics is recommended. Continue taking antibiotics for at least five (5) days even after all signs of the infection has cleared.
If you have any known drug allergy, immediately notify your doctor before you start taking any antibiotics. In case antibiotics cause sensitivity to the sun, apply sunscreen to ease discomfort.
You should seek medical attention immediately after a stingray injury, and your doctor will treat the wound with available medicine to minimize complications and speed up healing.
More Information
The details posted on this page on stingray sting is for learning purposes only. To learn how it is treated, enroll in a first aid course with one of our training providers.
FACT CHECK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stingray_injury
https://www.healthline.com/health/stingray-sting
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/wilderness_stingray_sting/article_em.htm