Coral injuries

[docdayne]

Hey I've scrubbed across coral before. It burned for a day and then healed and went away. This latest incident is different. I hit my elbow, June 4, it burned for the rest of the day and was draining lymph. It's the 16th and there is still lymph drainage and I have a slight overall feeling of joint pain. Any ideas??

 

[DandyDon]

Two....

1-Stay off of the coral. I'm not accusing you of being sloppy about that, but it needs to be said nonetheless.

2-Search this forum for fire and check what the medical professionals have said on other threads with injuries similar.

 

[TSandM]

Although you can have prolonged reactions to some coral envenomations, it is also possible that you have an infection, and I can't definitively distinguish between the two on the internet. I'd have somebody look at it. You might need steroids, or you might need antibiotics, and recommending one when you need the other could be either useless or deleterious. And either will require a prescription, so you'll need to see a physician either way.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi docdayne,

Despite a past history of minimal problems with coral envenomations, be aware that it can take weeks or even months for these to heal as microscopic foreign body particles can remain in the abrasion. Moreover, there is suggestive evidence certain corals actually produce compounds that specifically impede healing. Finally, signs and symptoms can recrudesce following complete or near complete healing due to delayed or cyclic host immune response. Nonethlesss, if meaninful healing doesn't occur within
several weeks post-injury, consultation with a dermatologist would be prudent.

Then of course there are the myriad pathogens that reside in salt water that can easily infect such scrapes, Staph aureus and Vibrio vulnificus (which can be very serious) among them. The diver with lingering, weeping wounds following a run in with coral will want to keep close tabs on the possibility of a subsequent infectious process. If the affected area manifests extreme redness or exudes pus, or swollen lymph glands, fever, chills or significant fatigue develop, immediate medical attention would be prudent.

Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice

 

[RonFrank]

Here is a snip of an article I found a while back on coral injuries.

Coral cuts should be promptly and vigorously scrubbed with soap and water, then irrigated copiously with a forceful stream of freshwater or normal saline to remove all foreign particles. It is occasionally helpful to use hydrogen peroxide to bubble out "coral dust." Any fragments that remain can become embedded and increase the risk for an indolent infection or foreign body granuloma. If stinging is a major symptom, there may be an element of envenomation by nematocysts. A brief rinse with diluted acetic acid (vinegar) or isopropyl alcohol 20% may diminish the discomfort (after the initial pain from contact with the open wound). If a coral-induced laceration is severe, it should be closed with adhesive strips rather than sutures if possible; preferably, it should be debrided for 3 to 4 days and closed in a delayed fashion.

I agree with Lynn, sounds like an infection. That can turn nasty, and she needs to go to a doctor.

 

[DocVikingo]

I agree with Lynn, sounds like an infection. That can turn nasty, and she needs to go to a doctor.

Hi Ron,

I missed the piece in TSandM's reply where she stated, "...it sounds like an infection." What I read her say was, "...it is also possible that you have an infection, and I can't definitively distinguish between the two on the internet." Can you please point that out to me?

Also, on what specific features are you basing your conclusion that it's an infection?

Thanks,

DocVikingo

 

[DandyDon]

Glad to see you got quick response from two greatly appreciated medical professionals. When they post, there's usually not much more to say other than "this is what happened to me" stories of questionable benefit. And I guess my suggestion of searching for fire while waiting was off, too; coral would have been a better search topic as it may not have been fire coral. :blush: Ooops again.

 

[RonFrank]

Hi Ron,

I missed the piece in TSandM's reply where she stated, "...it sounds like an infection." What I read her say was, "...it is also possible that you have an infection, and I can't definitively distinguish between the two on the internet." Can you please point that out to me?

Also, on what specific features are you basing your conclusion that it's an infection?

Thanks,

DocVikingo

I agree with Lynn, and I said it "sounds" like an infection. I don't KNOW that it is an infection, and my basic recommendation was to see a doctor.

I am NOT a doctor, and I think it's impossible even if I did have the medical background to give advice on a wound without looking at it, or doing some tests.

Hence the recommendation, see a qualified professional.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Ron,

Okay, I got lost when you remarked, "I agree with Lynn, sounds like an infection." To me this would mean that you concurrred with Lynn that it "...sounds like an infection." This was confusing because she in fact never stated that. What she said was, "Although you can have prolonged reactions to some coral envenomations, it is also possible that you have an infection, and I can't definitively distinguish between the two on the internet."

Apparently what you meant, although you didn't actually express it, was that you agreed with Lynn's comment that the inquirer should "see a physician."

Have I got it yet?

Thanks,

Doc

 

[docdayne]

OK now you guys have me confused...is it an infection or sounds like an infection. Kidding. Thanks for the input. The nematocytes came to the surface a couple of days ago and I pulled out what I could. It looks better but still red. No more real weeping. THere was never any puss, swelling, fever, etc.