Jellyfish, Stingray, Poisonous Coral? (identintification content w/pics)

[bangficklin]

Hello all, first time poster here. I need some help identifying a wound I got while snorkeling off the Yuccatan Pennisula (Riviera Maya,north of Playa Del Carmen). I didn't see what did this or really even feel much irritation at the time (other than a slight burning feeling), but about a day later the red marks you see appeared. The direction of the marks would indicate that I was diving down (terminology?) when I sustained them.

I'm not sure what did this to me but it's still here after almost ten days and I'm curious. Here are some pics. These were taken about two days after the incident occurred. Note the sweeping nature of the wound and how wide it is.

These are from today, the picture doesn't quite show it well but the the area that looks lighter than the rest is where the skin cracked and peeled. This seemed to be the area that sustained the most damage.

I though initially that due to the width of it that it had to be a sting ray, upon getting back and doing some research it doesn't appear that the sting ray can sting outside of piercing with it's barb.

A jellyfish would not have the "continuity" at the base of the wound that this one does. Meaning that jellyfish wounds as I've seen them are normally more sparse and not as thick.

I did brush up against several different reef formations but still don't think it would have lasted this long.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

Wes

 

[DandyDon]

I did brush up against several different reef formations but still don't think it would have lasted this long.

:11: Are you actually a trained & certified diver, or was this an intro dive? Brushing against coral is kinda sinful, you know?

Welcome to SB. I would suggest hydrocortisone ointment, buying a long diving skin, and additional training. I'll see about getting this moved to the Medical forum for perhaps more appropriate coverage.

 

[CBulla]

Some corals can give a little bite, such as what you have. I have encountered some accidentally via drifting into it while my attn was otherwise occupied and the current moved me a little and it took about 2 to 3 months to heal and stop itching! It drove me insane!!

 

[bangficklin]

Some corals can give a little bite, such as what you have. I have encountered some accidentally via drifting into it while my attn was otherwise occupied and the current moved me a little and it took about 2 to 3 months to heal and stop itching! It drove me insane!!

Wow, not at all comforting!! What the hell kind of irritant is in coral that has such an adverse reaction to human skin? I've been treating it with Hydrocortisone Cream, and it really hasn't been helping the healing process much.

As for the sinful nature of my faux pas I suppose I'm getting my just deserves eh? I try to respect my surroundings as much as possible when in nature, the waves got the better of me this time around, though.

Any other input?

 

[DandyDon]

See a physician knowledgeable about ocean injuries, search DAN's website, take antihistamines, buy a dive skin.

Sorry about the crack on your sinning, it happens to all of us some. I never dive without a long suit.