Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Determining the severity of the symptoms
• Part 2 of 3: Taking care of the wound
• Part 3 of 3: Get medical treatment
• Tips
• Warnings

Stingrays are flat fish with one or more poisonous spines on the top of their tail. They generally occur in tropical coastal areas and subtropical waters, making it possible for humans to come into contact with these fish. Although not normally aggressive, a stingray will use its spine in self-defense if someone accidentally steps on it, releasing poison into the wound. Fortunately, you can apply a simple treatment if you have unexpectedly found yourself in this situation.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Determining the severity of the symptoms

1. Stay calm. While a stingray bite is worrisome and painful, such bites are rarely fatal. In reality, it is not the poison that kills the most, but internal injury (when the person is stabbed in the chest or stomach area), heavy blood loss, allergic reactions or secondary infections. Such complications can be treated by properly trained medical personnel.
2. Try to identify your symptoms. Take a moment to identify what symptoms you are dealing with. Common symptoms are:
   • Pain
   • Swelling
   • Bleed
   • Weakness
   • Headache
   • Muscle cramps
   • Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea
   • Dizziness / Light-headedness
   • Palpitations
   • Breathing problems
   • Pass out
3. Rank the severity of the symptoms. Some symptoms are more severe medically than others. Determine if you are dealing with an allergic reaction, heavy blood loss, or poisoning. When you experience any of the listed symptoms, you serve immediately seek medical attention.
   • Allergic reaction: Swelling of the tongue, lips, head, neck or other parts of the body; difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing; red and / or itchy rash; fainting or losing consciousness.
   • Heavy blood loss: Dizziness, fainting or loss of consciousness, sweating, increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, rapid breathing.
   • Poisoning: Headache, light-headedness, palpitations, muscle cramps, seizures.
4. Get proper medical care or supplies. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, you should receive appropriate medical care or supplies. This can range from getting your hands on first aid equipment, visiting the emergency room to calling the emergency number for an ambulance.
   • If in doubt, always seek medical assistance (for example, call the emergency number).

Part 2 of 3: Taking care of the wound

1. Rinse the wound with sea water. If you are still in the water, you can rinse the wound with seawater, which will remove dirt and grime. Get out of the water and dry the area with a clean towel to make sure you don't injure yourself further.
   • Delete NO dirt that has penetrated your neck, chest, or stomach area.
2. Try to stop the bleeding. Bleeding is common after a stingray sting. As always, the best way to stop bleeding is to apply pressure to the wound or just above the wound. Do this for a few minutes with one finger. The longer the pressure is applied, the more likely the bleeding will stop.
   • Try using hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with applying pressure to the wound to stop bleeding if the bleeding doesn't stop applying pressure alone. Be careful, hydrogen peroxide can bite!
3. Try soaking the wound in warm water. You can combine this step with applying pressure to stop the bleeding. Soaking the wound in warm water can relieve the pain by rendering the poison made up of proteins ineffective. The optimum temperature is 45 ° C, but make sure you don't burn yourself. Let the wound soak for thirty to ninety minutes or until the pain is gone.
4. Monitor the wound closely and try to identify signs of infection. Proper wound care involves keeping the area clean by applying soap and rinsing the wound with water. Also try to keep the wound dry at all times. Keep the wound uncovered and apply an antibiotic ointment daily. Avoid using non-antibiotic creams, lotions, and ointments.
   • Over the next few days, if the area becomes red, tarry, itchy, swollen, or fluid comes out of the wound, seek medical attention by going to a doctor or the emergency room. You may need antibiotics and / or the wound may need to be drained.

Part 3 of 3: Get medical treatment

1. Try to have a first aid kit as soon as possible. Depending on where you are, you should have fairly easy access to a first aid kit. Ask someone to get the supplies as you begin to identify your symptoms and treat the wound. These are the items in a first aid kit that are most helpful:
   • Gauze pads
   • Disinfectants (hydrogen peroxide, wipes impregnated with alcohol, soap)
   • Tweezers
   • Painkillers
   • Ointment with antibiotic
   • Band aids
2. Try to determine where the nearest emergency room or GP station is. Having a professional counselor look at your wound is not a bad idea. Not only will you be treated by a well-trained professional, you will also reduce the risk of infection and other complications. A treatment plan with instructions and recommendations, based on the professional's assessment, will be provided to you.
   • If the nearest emergency room or doctor's office is at least a 10-minute drive away, try to get a first aid kit to control bleeding before being transported.
3. Call the emergency number. This is your safety net. Call the emergency number in the following situations:
   • If you have an open wound on your head or in your neck, neck, chest, or stomach area.
   • If you do not have a first aid kit or do not have access to an emergency room or GP station.
   • If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, lose a lot of blood or have symptoms of poisoning.
   • If you are taking any medical conditions and / or medications that may affect wound care.
   • If you are in doubt or confused, under the influence, less alert, insecure or afraid (or the like).

Tips

• Wherever you swim, especially in tropical waters, you should use caution at all times. Stingrays, sharks and other dangerous animals can be present. Be aware of your surroundings and look out for others who may need help.
• Drag or slide your feet across the bottom as you enter the water so that you run into a stingray instead of stepping on it.
• Try to remove as much poison as possible from the wound without further injuring yourself. This will relieve the pain.
• When the sand is hot, you can use it as a means of soaking your wound. Afterwards, make sure you clean the wound extra well.
• Benadryl (a medicine known as antihistamines) can relieve itching and swelling, take this medicine as soon as possible. You could also break an aspirin in half and rub it into the wound.
• If the wound starts to itch, DO NOT scratch or rub. This will cause the wound to swell even more.
• Urine can help get rid of the poison.

Warnings

• Persons with a malfunctioning immune system such as diabetics or people with HIV / AIDS should receive immediate medical treatment.
• When in doubt, you should seek medical help or call the emergency number as soon as possible.
• Call the emergency number immediately or go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:
  • Chestpain
  • Swelling in the face or mouth, or swollen lips
  • Breathing problems
  • Hives or widespread rash
  • Nausea / vomiting