Fire Coral after 2 weeks?

[Codyjp]

i was visiting the Fl Keys 2 weeks ago when i got a couple stings on my arm from what i believe was fire coral. It went away mostly after about 5 days, but then came back after about 10 days. Now i have a few red bumps that don't hurt at all but looks like a rash sort of.

is this normal? when will it go away?

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Codyjp,

Yes, this most certainly can and does happen.

Microscopic fragments of the offending hydroid which remain in the wound can cause redness, inflammation, itching and swelling to persist for days or weeks. Worse, a cyclic immune response sometimes occurs which can cause such signs and symptoms to persist for weeks or even months.

That the rash is of lesser severity with each recurrence is a good prognostic indicator.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

I was in the Keys a month ago and got some fire coral on my elbow and knee at the Christ statue --- the bumps and itch have just recently begun to subside. My experience with fire coral (too much, unfortunately) is that several weeks of itch and rash (or longer) is the rule:shakehead , not the exception.

 

[robbcayman]

This could be life threatening, you should seek medical attention ASAP. J/K of course

 

[Spratman]

Same thing happened to me in Isla Mujeres this past August. I'm not sure what hit me, but I was at the Cross on the bottom of Machones Reef trying to shoot some yellow grunts and the surge and current was pretty stiff. The surge banged me against the cross and immediately felt like someone stuck a soldering iron against my elbow.

I had two white holes in my elbow. Didn't think too much about it until the next day. I was lying by the pool and started sweating. Next thing I know there is like a three inch puddle of blood! One of the hole in my elbow was bleeding pretty good. I doctored it up and it was itchy for a month or so.

My only concern was it being one of those critters that starts growing inside your body...Didn't want to turn into a monster or something....

 

[Codyjp]

thanks for the advice. i don't feel anything there and it doesn't itch. it is just some red bumps.

spratman, i got a parasite when i was surfing in mexico and it was possibly the worst thing i have ever been through. i had to wear long sleve shirts and keep them tight around my arms because i was itching enough in my sleep to cause bleeding. then the medication i was put on (Raid pellets i think) was almost as bad as the bugs themselves. overall, i was hating life!

 

[fisherdvm]

It could simply be part of the healing process. Inflammed skin can take 2 to 4 weeks to recover. In the mean while, you need to avoid scrubbing, rubbing, or scratching the area. I would avoid using soap or a washcloth/luffa/sponge on the area while bathing. Protecting it with a thin layer of petrolateum daily would hasten the recovery. If it itches, use over the counter hydrocortisone ointment on it twice a day for no more than 10 days,..... Then go and see a good dermatologist.

Irritation can trigger other intrinsic skin disorders like psoriasis, lichen planus, and the common warts....