Advice needed! Fire coral rash

[Kaymar91]

While swimming in the Caribbean, I bumped into the reef and instantly felt a burning sensation up my arm. Within 5 minutes the rash and welts started to appear. Our charter crew said they believed I came in contact with fire coral, so we instantly rinsed my arm with vinegar to stop the venom from spreading. The rash and burning had gone down significantly while on the trip (7 days), however, since getting back to the USA the inflammation has gotten worse and the itching is pretty bad. I have applied Neosporin and Hydrocortisone cream the past 2 days but have seen zero improvements. At this point I hope it isn’t a bacterial infection, should I take a steroid or antibiotic? Or do you think this is just the unfortunate healing process of a reef sting? It has been 10 days since the contact.


Any help is appreciated!

 

[Pedro Burrito]

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[Kaymar91]

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Thank you for redirecting my thread. Hope this helps get more views & replies!

 

[dlofting]

Looks familiar. I've had it a couple of times. The cream helps but it still itches and takes a while to disappear completely.
I'm not a doctor and am only looking at the photo you posted, but at this point it doesn't look infected.

 

[johndiver999]

You might try an over the counter anti allergy drug called
Zyrtec. That looks bad. I generally try to stay fully covered up, even a thin rash guard provides a lot of protection

 

[PoolsOpen]

Ive had similar..
Calamine lotion / Caladryl offers me relief from itching and it does takes a while to heal.
It does not look like a bacterial infection from the photos but if you have any doubt go see a Dr in person

 

[Lorenzoid]

I have had the itchy fire coral rash last for 7-10 days or more, so perhaps that is not unusual. Here's what DAN has to say about it:

DAN | Medical Frequently Asked Questions

 

[hilljo88]

Spicy indian food and 2 red stripe/ironshore/dos equis

Not sure why it worked, but last time I got lit up by fire coral we went our for Indian food. Apparently, there may be a reason why this worked, beyond the beer making me care less;

"Capsaicin is a chili pepper extract with analgesic properties.Capsaicin is a neuropeptide releasing agent selective for primary sensory peripheral neurons. Used topically, capsaicinaids in controlling peripheral nerve pain."

Who knew?

 

[W W Meixner]

While swimming in the Caribbean, I bumped into the reef and instantly felt a burning sensation up my arm. Within 5 minutes the rash and welts started to appear. Our charter crew said they believed I came in contact with fire coral, so we instantly rinsed my arm with vinegar to stop the venom from spreading. The rash and burning had gone down significantly while on the trip (7 days), however, since getting back to the USA the inflammation has gotten worse and the itching is pretty bad. I have applied Neosporin and Hydrocortisone cream the past 2 days but have seen zero improvements. At this point I hope it isn’t a bacterial infection, should I take a steroid or antibiotic? Or do you think this is just the unfortunate healing process of a reef sting? It has been 10 days since the contact.


Any help is appreciated!

K...

I got nipped in the USVI two years ago...I dropped to the bottom...grabbed a hand full of sand/coral dust...rubbed the area vigorously for a couple of minutes...other than a pencil thin red line which disappeared after two days...there was no other reaction...

There are numerous marine medical professional SB members...reach out...I'm sure they can offer some good advice...

There's lots to be said for full suits...hoods...and gloves...regardless of how warm the water is...

For hot beach destination dives...I cover-up a shorty with Carhartt bib overalls and a long sleeve rash-guard over top...

Best...

Warren

 

[Kaymar91]

Looks familiar. I've had it a couple of times. The cream helps but it still itches and takes a while to disappear completely.
I'm not a doctor and am only looking at the photo you posted, but at this point it doesn't look infected.

Thank you for your comment. How long does it normally take to disappear completely? If I do not scratch it, will there be any scarring or discoloration in your experience?