Marine Bite or Sting
You’re most likely to contact biting or stinging marine life while swimming or wading in saltwater. These include jellyfish and coral, as well as sculpins, stingrays, and many other kinds of fish. Most don’t attack people. But they may bite or sting if they're stepped on or touched. Even a dead jellyfish can release poison (venom) when handled. In North America, most marine animal bites or stings aren’t deadly. But they can be painful. They can be serious if the wound is deep, becomes infected, or causes an allergic reaction.
Your injury will be cleaned and examined. Bite or puncture wounds are often not closed with stitches. A jellyfish sting may be rinsed with sterile saline solution or vinegar. This prevents more toxins from being released. Applying heat to the area may also help to do this. Any tentacles left in your skin will be removed. It's better to remove them after inactivating them. Then they don't release more toxin when handled. If you have stingray barbs in your skin, they need to be removed. Heat should also help ease the pain of stingrays. If you have an allergic reaction that's severe, you may be given a steroid medicine to help control it. If you're in pain, medicine may be prescribed to make you more comfortable. Blood tests, ultrasound, wound culture, or X-rays may be done to check for other injuries or signs of infection. Treatment will depend on the location and severity of the wound.
Home care
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines to help ease pain and prevent infection. Follow your provider's instructions for taking these medicines. If antibiotics have been prescribed, finish all of the medicine until it is gone, even if you feel better.
General care
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Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water before and after caring for the wound.
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Clean the wound with mild soap and water and pat dry. Do this as often as advised by your healthcare provider.
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Watch for signs of infection, including fever, increasing pain, redness, or pus (discharge).
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If bleeding occurs, apply gentle, even pressure.
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Cover the wound with a new, clean bandage. Apply the bandage snugly, but not too tight. Keep the bandage clean and dry.
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Get plenty of rest and fluids.
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To prevent future stings, never handle any marine life. Even dead jellyfish on the beach can cause stings.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your healthcare provider as advised.
When to get medical advice
Call your healthcare provider or get medical care right away if any of these occur:
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Swelling of the affected body part, hands, or face
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A feeling that there's something in the wound
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Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider
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Signs of infection, including increasing pain, increasing redness or swelling, or discharge from the wound
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Numbness or tingling in the area of the wound
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Pain that doesn't get better after taking medicine, or that gets worse
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Your wound isn’t healing
Call 911
Call 911 if any of these occur: