Fire coral sting, any advice?

[buleetu]

hi there

i was diving the other morning when my guide pointed out a really lovely nem perched on a small ledge in a really nice bommie

i hovered just infront of the clowns and nem and took some photos, they came out great by the way

the thing is when i turned around to leave this bommie i brushed off some fire coral with my elbow im an idiot i know

it just brushed off my elbow and a peice broke off and rolled down my arm towards my hand, it stung a little while i was in the water but by the time i finished the dive and was out of the water i had completly forgotten about it happening

that evening though we were on our way to the bar and i noticed what i thought was some mozzie bites on my arm, i still didnt remember getting stung by the firecoral at this stage before it wasnt irratating me

all day yesterday it was itchey and sore and i went to the pharmacy and got some cortizone cream with antibiotics, its better today but still itchy

is there any other cure for the itching?
could this get infected?
could it get worse??

thanks so much

 

[Dzscubie]

This is just a suggestion,,

In the old days (30+ years ago) we always kept a bottle of unseasoned meat tenderizer in our dive bags for fire coral or other stings. You just wet the area and liberally sprinkle the meat tenderizer on the area and ... Volia’ Pain and itching goes away. Just remember UNSEASONED meat tenderizer.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hey buleetu,

No fun.

The initial treatment would have been repeated rinses of the affected area with copious quantities of vinegar (acetic acid) . However, at this stage there is little reason to expect any meaningful benefit from use of this or other substances (e.g., unseasoned meat tenderizer) intended to deactivate unfired nematocysts (the stinging cells in "fire coral").

At this point, Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping Cream (or a generic equivalent) used as directed may provide some relief. Alternatively, oral Benadryl (or a generic equivalent) and a topical cortisone cream (prescription strength is preferred but OTC potency is okay) used as directed can be tried.

Be aware that such envenomations can be bothersome for an extended period of time, and even resolve and then return due to delayed or cyclical hypersensitivity reactions.

Indeed they can become infected and observation for signs of infection is important. If such arises, or the rash alters for the worse in any other manner, seeing a dermatologist in a timely fashion 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 to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

 

[gypsyjim]

I've found that simply rubbing the effected area with sand as I continue the dive eliminates any effects of the fire coral, although not touching fire coral is still THE best solution.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi gypsyjim,

It's good that "simply rubbing the effected area with sand as I continue the dive eliminates any effects of the fire coral." However, this really isn't medically recommended as such rubbing can cause undischarged nematocytes to fire.

For example, Kenneth W. Kizer, M.D., M.P.H., professor of emergency medicine and medical toxicology at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine and a specialist in wilderness medicine, directs that with coral injuries, "Don't rub the skin and never rub it with sand because this will cause the nematocysts to fire off more venom."

And, this procedure also can damage already compromised skin.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[buleetu]

quote
"Helpful?

Regards,

DocVikingo"

yes thanks very much,ill have a look for some benydryl or something like it in the pharmacy tonight,but im not sure if i could get it here in sharm everything is called something else and sometimes in arabic so its a nightmare to get something one knows the name of if u know what i mean thanks again

thank u everyone else too, but would rubbing sand into it really work, if i rubbed any sand into it now it would be even worse, if it ever happens again ill give it a go, but i plan to be very carefull in the future so please god

i actually have a marine fish tank at home in ireland and there are a lot of bristle worms living in the rock work, i have gotten some bristles in my fingers before but they are nothing like this, i dont think they have any nematocysts in them just the actual spikey things and they can be in a finger for 1 month causing itchyness, but the firecoral itch is more of an itchy burning thing and i would recommend anyone to try it out for them selfs,

im just glad it wasnt some gorgonian that has been growing for 100 years or something before i came along and broke a peice off,we live and learn

thanks again

 

[DocVikingo]

You should be able to find OTC diphenhydramine in both oral and cream/gel forms in larger Sharm pharmacy sections.

If not, try the Uno Medical Center at 131 Haddba; (763-6076397). Also, I've accompanied an injured diver to the Sharm-el-Sheikh International Hospital in Hai el Nour (069-3660894) and was very impresssed with the services there. Either of these will be able to prescribe something more potent, if indicated.

Best of luck.

DocVikingo