Marine Envenomation
Marine envenomation is the resulting poisoning that comes from a sting from a venomous fish or sea animal, such as lionfish, jellyfish, sea urchins, and sting rays. These stings range in seriousness depending on the animal from very mild to lethal or deadly. Any marine envenomation should be medically treated.
Scorpionfish
Scorpionfish are also known as sculpin. Their dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins all have venom glands. Envenomation from the scorpionfish are typically moderate to severe, and peak in about an hour to an hour and a half after being stung. Treatment includes submerging the inflicted part of the body into very hot water for a period of 30 to 90 minutes, care for the wound to prevent infection, and general observation to rule out systemic envenomation.
Jellyfish and Jellyfish-Like Creatures
Jellyfish have jelly-like bodies with an umbrella-shape and tentacles with stinging cells. Their stinging structure consists “of a hollow coiled thread with barbs lining its surface.” (..Venum Apparatus).The most serious of the jellyfish is the box jellyfish. The Portuguese man o’ war is not a true jellyfish, but is in the same category.
From the South Carolina DNR:
For defense and feeding jellyfish have specialized stinging cells which contain venom. The stinging structure consists of a hollow coiled thread with barbs along its length. These nematocysts are concentrated on the tentacles or oral arms. A single tentacle can have hundreds or thousands of nematocysts embedded in the epidermis.
When tentacles make contact with an object, pressure within the nematocyst forces the stinging thread to rapidly uncoil. The thousands of nematocysts act as small harpoons, firing into prey and injecting paralyzing toxins.
Jellyfish use stings to paralyze or kill small fish and crustaceans, but the stings of some jellyfish can harm humans. Jellyfish do not “attack” humans, but swimmers and beachcombers can be stung when they accidentally touch jellyfish tentacles.
The severity of the sting depends on the species of jellyfish, the penetrating power of the nematocyst, the thickness of the victim’s skin, the sensitivity of the victim to the venom. The majority of stings from jellyfish occur in tropical and warm waters.
Treatment includes removing any tentacles as soon as possible: the tentacles will continue to release venom until they are removed. If you are stung while still in the water, exit as soon as possible to avoid drowning. Deactivation of the nematocysts prevents further poisoning, which includes vinegar and saltwater solutions. Alcohol, ammonia, and urine may have the reverse effect and may make the wound worse.
Stingrays
Stingrays are cartilaginous fish with long tails with a poisonous spine which acts as its defense. Stingrays camouflage themselves in sandy waters and when stepped on react by stinging the beachgoer. Shuffling feet as your walking helps to shoo away any hiding stingrays in the sand. Besides a painful sting, their spines can cause cuts or deep puncture wounds. Depending on how big the stinger is, surgery may be needed to remove it or any barb fragments. Treatment includes immersing the affected area in hot water, as hot as you can stand it which denatures the venom, and proper care of the wound to prevent infection.
Sea Urchins
Sea urchins are non-aggressive marine animals. They cause envenomation in two ways: by their spines or their pedicillaria.
From eMedicineHealth.com:
Sea urchins have two types of venomous organs – spines and pedicellaria. Spines produce puncture wounds. Pedicellaria are small, delicate seizing organs that lie between the spines and release venom when they attach to an object.
Treatment includes removing any spines or pedicellaria, immersing the affected area in hot water, as hot as you can stand it, and the care of the actual wound to prevent infection.
Tetrodotoxin
A tetrodotoxin is an actual neurotoxin found in certain marine fish, and if the toxin from the animal enters the body, such as by being ingested, inhaled, or entering the body in any another way, it results in serious poisoning. According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary: tetrodoxin is “an extremely poisonous neurotoxin…found in the puffer fishes and a genus…of newt, that blocks the conduction of nerve signals.” (Neufeldt, 1384). Initial symptoms of tetrodotoxin poisoning includes: tingling of lips, tongue, tips of fingers, sweating, extreme weakness, nausea, and headache. Severe cases: respiratory/muscular paralysis, and death. With a tetrododoxin, treatment almost always includes immediate professional medical help.
Resources:
Neufeldt, Nancy, Ed. Chief, and David B. Guralnik, Ed. Chief Em. Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Third Ed. New York: MacMillan, 1997.
“Marine Envenomations.” Utox Update 3.2 (Summer 2001): n. pag. University of Utah College of Pharmacy. Utah Poison Control Center. Web.
Whitaker, J. David, Rachel King, Dr., and David Knott. “Jellyfish.” Marine Resources Division. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
Drobina, Barbara J. “Dive Medicine: Sea Urchin Puncture Wound.” EMedicineHealth. Ed. Melissa Conrad Stoppler. Emedicinehealth.com, 20 May 2014. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
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