B. Gulf to Mexico and picific. DIAGNOSIS:
A. Glycera produce an oval bite which becomes rythematous, inflamed and later numb and
itching.
B. Bristle worm stings produce swelling, inflammation, and numbness.
TREATMENT:
Bites should be thoroughly cleansed, bristles are best removed by adhesive tape. Clean
area with alcohol, then apply a cortisone base cream to alleviate the burning sensation.
J. CORAL:
Sharp, gives cuts and abrasions, slow to heal. All coral abrasions contain pieces of
calcareous material and animal protein. If untreated, a mere scratch can turn into a
painfully festering ulcer that will recur periodically for years.
SYMPTOMS:
The initial reaction to the coral cut, sometimes called coral poisoning, it has the
appearance of red welts and itching or burning around the wound.
TREATMENT:
Prompt application of antiseptic angents, such as 2% tincture of iodine, or perferably
Zephiran, will go a long way toword perventing later difficulty. Another but
unconventional approch has been found quite effective; cleanse the wound with a brush or
coarse cloth, water, and pHiso-Hex or soap. Then dry the wound and clean it with alcohol,
dry again and rinse with hydrogen peroxide. These measures should remove foreign material
and bacteria. While the wound is still wet, empty the contents of a tetracycline capsule
onto the area, and pat it into a paste with a tongue blade. Allow this to dry and use no
further covering.The paste will form a false eschar that will retard the growth of
organisms underneath. This protecive burrier will slough as the wound heals from the
edges. In severe cases, the patient may have to be put on complete bedrest with the
affected limb elevated. Kaolin poultices should be used, dressings should be saturated
with magnesium sulfate in glycerin solution, and antibiotics should be administered.
Antihistammines, given orally or applied locally, will help relieve the pain.
ANIMALS THAT INJECT VENOM
A. CNIDARIA:
Of the 9000 or so species of the phylum, approximately seventy have been implicated in
injuries to man. Among those that have inflicted injuries on humans.
ARE THE FOLLOWING;
1. HYDROZOA:
(Or hydroids and Hydromedusae). Medusae Hydroids
2. Millepora corals
The fire, or stinging, corals produce small reddened, somewhat papular eruptions, which
appear 1 to 10 hours following the contact, and usually subside within 24 to 96hr.
3. Siphonophores
4. ANTHOZOA: (Or sea anemones, sea feathers and corals).
- A. Actiniaria (Anemones)
- B. Madreporaria (Corals)
- C. SCTPHOZOA:(Or true jellyfishes).
- D. Cubomedusae (Sea Wasps) Corontae Semaeostomae, Rhizostomeae
1. PORTUGUESE MAN OF WAR (Physalia Palagica) 6 inches and up in diameter
tentacles up to 50 Ft.
REGION: Atlantic coast and Indo- Pacific region It floats at the surface trailing
stining tentacles. The tentacles dangling beneath thesurface are coverd with thousands of
stinging cells capable of emitting microscopic organelles, the nematocytes, each of which
consists of a small sphere containing a coiled hollow thread. When activated by touch the
thread is uncoiled with such force that it can penetrate skin and even rubber gloves. On
contact venom in the cyst is injected into the victim through the thread. The toxic
reaction depends upon the number of strings and the degree of the victim's sensitivity. In
most cases the sting is extremely painful, somewhat akin to the sting of hornets. Severe
pain is often associated with sings of clinical shock. Cardiac arrhythmias occur and can
be demonstrated by EKG.
SYMPTOMS:
The lesions produced following contact with the Portuguese nam-of-war (Phtsalia appear
as small papular eruptions in one or several discontinuous lines which may sometimes
encircle the extremity or injured part. Weakness, nauses, headache, pain and spasms in the
large muscle masses of the abdomen and back, lacrimation and in many cases. Difficulty and
pain on respiration, changes in pulse rate.
SEVERE CASES: In more severe cases there is immediate, intense, burning pain. In
addition,pain and difficulty in respiration and nasal and bronchial secretions are
sometimes reported. Vertigo, mental confusion, increased pulse rate and dilatation of the
pupils may be reported.
TREATMENT:
The application of alcohol to the injured area. IF none , Dry sand or flour should be
sprinkled on the lesions and after 30 sec scraped off with a knife.
NEVER RUB with wet sand or fresh water. Application of a topical analgesic-cortisone
lotion is advised. For severe pain the use of codeine or meperidine may be indicated.
Cnidaria, Chironex Fleckeri and Chiropsalmus Guadrigatus. Are followed sometimes later by
backache, weakness, headache, painful spasms in the abdomen, thighs and chest, some
dyspnea, increased perspiration, dryness of the mouth and vomiting. The illness is non-
fatal and responds well to intravenous pethidine.
2. Scyphozoa, or Jellyfish Family Include the most dangerous the SEA WASP:...Soft
tentacles. The sea nettle and sea blubber. Anthozoa are the elk horn coral and members of
the sea anemone group.The coelenterates sting by releasing venom from cells or tentacles..
contact with them sets off trigger like mechanisms which inject a tiny thread tube from a
venom filled cell. Many thousands of the microscopic cells are found on tentacles. Results
of contact vary from mild to sever, local to general and sometimes are fatal.
SYMPTOMS:
Range from prickly sensation to shooting pain, which render victim unconscious. Also
red,puffy skin, blisters, swelling. In severe cases there may be muscular cramps, loss of
the sense of touch, temperature,nausea, vomiting, sever headaches, loss of speech,
frothing at the mouth, respiration difficulty, paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death.
TREATMENT:
- 1. Get Out Of Water.
- 2. Get Medical Assistance.
First Aid.
A) Remove tentacles and as much of stinging fluid as possible. Apply weak ammonia,
Baking soda. Rub gently with wet sand, and wash with FRESH water.
B) Attempt to reduce local reaction by using ointment or antihistamine cream, otherwise
us a olive oil, sugar, soothing lotions. Apply cold compresses.
C) "Halstead" suggests morphine to relieve pain, calcium gluconate for muscle
spasm, and for severe systemic reactions, cardiac and respiratory stimulanrs, artificial
respiration and other supportive measures as needed.
PREVENTION:
- A) Avoid contact
- B) Wear rubber suit
- C) Watch out for detached tentacles, they can still sting. SEA WASP:
In the South Pacific one sub species of the Sea Wasp has been known to cause death
IF STUNG: Seek medical attention immediately, Follow same procedure as the man-of-war
sting.
C. ECHINODERMATA
6000 Species of echinoderms at least eighty knowen to be venomous or poisonous.
Ingestion of the ova of certain urchins gives rise to poisoning, sea cucumbers produce a
substance that is toxic to fish and other marine animals and perhaps to nam.
1. ASTEROIDEA:
starfish with thorny spines of calcium carbonate.
2. ECHINOIDEA:
Regular sea urchins with "Poisonous spines".
SEA URCHINS:
(The black long-spine urchin, Diadema Setosum is the most venomous variety; The red sea
urchins such as Toxpneustes Elegans and Asthenosoma Jimoni produce milder symptoms.)
REGION:
In warm waters, Abundant on ocean floor and cling to rocks and coral, wrecks ect.
Injury from spine is most common. Venumus urchins can be very dangerous.
DIAGNOSIS:
The spines penetrate soft tissues and produce redness, swelling, and intense burning
the venomous spine or pedicellariae have poisonous tips and 3 pronged biting teeth which
cling long after detachment.
SYMPTOMS:
Traumatic injuries of the skin by spines of sea urchins without envenomation are well
known. They may break off in a puncher wound causingconsiderable local reaction, often
givs rise to infection. Some spines are absorbed within 16 to 48hr, where as other may
need to be removed surgically. Both the venomous and nonvenomous spines can give rise to
granulomatous nodular lesions. Injuries by pedicellariae, immediate intense pain,
localized swelling and redness about the wound, an aching sensation in the involved part,
nausea and syncopy.
IN SEVERE CASES:
Difficulties in respiration, parasthesia about the mouth with some atonia of the
muscles of the lips, tongue, larynx and eyelids and sometimes the muscles of the limbs.
Complete atonia and ataxia may occur.
TREATMENT:
Remove spines immediately with forceps, pedicellariae must be searched out and also
promptly removed; brittle tips may break off and if not absorbed within 48 hours must be
surgically excised; purple discoloration at the point of injury is a pigment of the spine
and is not dangerous although often worrisome to the patient; Shoes and gloves offer
little protection from the spines; the diver or swimmer should avoid contact with these
urchins.
PREVENTION: BE CAREFUL WHERE STEPPING AND WEAR HEAVY RUBBER HEEL ON FINS.
D. HOLOTHUROIDEA: Sea Cucumbers
SYMPTOMS:
Posionings by Holothuroidea are rare, Acute gastric distress with nausea and vomiting
with ingestion of certain toxic sea cucumbers. Pruritus with mild swelling and redness of
the hands has been reported following the handling of some holothurians. Acute
conjuctivitis has been observed in persons who have swam in waters polluted with the
tissue extracts of toxic sea cucumbers.
E. CONE SHELLS:
400 Species found in Fl.& Indo Pacific. These shells contain a slug like anamial
which has microscopic venom filled teeth. The cone shells are prized by collectors and
several human deaths have been noted from stings to the hand the gastropod uses its sting
to kill other gastropod and secretes a toxin which competes for acetylcholine at the motor
end plate.
SYMPTOMS:
- A) Local ischemia (Shutting down of the blood supply.)
- B) Depressed Respiration
- C) Cyanosis (Blueness)
- D) Sharp stinging or burning sensation.
- E) Spreading numbness.
- F) Paralysis.
- G) Coma
- H) Finally Death
TREATMENT: C.P.R. If Required Pressure-Immobilization Keep the patient still, quite and
reassured Monitor the airway, breathing, irculation indentify the cone, seek medical aid.
PERVENTION:
Avoid handling soft part of animal, Handle by large end of shell only.
MOLLUSCA:
There are approximately 80,000 spices of molluscs, of which about eighty-five have been
implicated in poisoning to man or are known to be toxic under certain conditions.
They are Gastropoda, Pelecypoda and Cephalopoda.
1. Gastropoda: (cones) Most of the venomous spices of molluscs are found in the classes
Gastropoda and Cephalopoda. The most dangerous gastropoda are mambers of the Conus.
SYMPTOMS:
The sting gives rise to immediate, sometimes intense, localized pain at the site of the
injury. Within 5 min. the victim usually notes some numbness and ischemia about the wound.
A tingling or numbing sensation may develop about the mouth, lips and tongue, and over the
peripheral parts of the extremities. Other symptoms and stings may develop during the
first 30 min following the injury. These include: dizziness, increased lacrimation and
salivation, weakness, and pain in the chest which increases with deep inspiration. The
numbness about the wound may spread to invlove a good part of the extremity or injured
portion. In the more severe cases, respiratory distress with chest pain, difficulties in
swallowing and phonation,marked dizziness, blurring of vision and an inability to focus.
2. Cephalopoda (OCTOPUS)
Up to 25 Ft. in span moreinquisitive then vicious. Only danger is that octopus may trap
diver underwater if he has a good grip on diver. Clothing or wet suit will hinder suction
cups. Keep away from caves ,crevices, and wrecks- if possible.
Bites from the beak-like mouth of the octopus results in two small puncture wounds;
they appear to bleed more freely than one would expect. Infiltration in the area of a
poison from the salivary glands which is used to paralyze the small crustacea on which it
feeds, have caused at least one known human death. The Blue Ring Octopus is a unique type
of octopod, it is usually four to six inches long. They are found in Australian waters.
The Blue ring bite is often fatal.
PREVENTION:
Do not handle or provoke them.
SYMPTOMS:
Burning,Tingling or numbness about the wound site are not uncommon complaints. Swelling
is usually minimal immediately but may develop 6-12h later. Localized pruritus, Free
bleeding from the wound. Light-headedness, And the wounds heal slowly.
TREATMENT:
Generalized supportive care, treat the bite same as for fish sting. You can kill an
octopus by stabbing between the eyes.
