Nasty Fire Coral Injury

[cowboyneal]

Well, after a million years diving, I finally got hit up with a fire coral sting along the outside of my hand and pinky, completely by accident (at least I think it was a fire coral). It now seems to have spread to my ring finger and middle finger up by the nail. There are nasty looking red welts completely along the back side of my pinky and along the side of my hand down to the palm, a couple on my ring finger and etc. I put white vinegar over it, and I have used some cortizone for the itching and I have some kind of gel called Andantol I bought here in Cozumel, but we're going on 4 days with this thing now and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Help! Any suggestions? This is my big argument about wearing gloves - these are protective items and I was not "touching" anything on purpose - so no more diving without gloves for me - and if that means I don't go to places that don't allow gloves, well, I've probably been there already anyway (done venting) -- anyway, thanks. CN

 

[TSandM]

It doesn't appear that there is any extremely effective treatment for fire coral envenomation: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=125

 

[sasscuba]

Been using Lawry's seasoned salt for fire coral burns for over 10 years....It hurts to rub it on but after you get hit... apply liberally over the spot. It will feel like rubbing sand over it but it takes out the swelling and burning. You can mix it with a little water to make a paste and sit on the spot for a few minutes. Have always put it on within a day of getting it so it might not work for you now but what do you have to loose..
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/sasscuba/Lawrys_salt_economy.jpg

 

[vladimir]

This is my big argument about wearing gloves - these are protective items and I was not "touching" anything on purpose - so no more diving without gloves for me - and if that means I don't go to places that don't allow gloves, well, I've probably been there already anyway (done venting) -- anyway, thanks. CN

Sorry about your injury Neal--that sucks, especially on vacation. It does, however, make a persuasive argument for banning gloves. As you have seen, the gloveless diver has a powerful incentive not to touch the reef--much more likely to affect diver behavior than good intentions alone.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi cowboyneal,

Bummer.

At this stage, the recommened steps for immediate treatment of the envenomation are going to be of no use, e.g., dousing with vinegar, meat tenderizer.

One might obtain some relief by taking recommended doses of an oral OTC antihistamine like Benadryl and an anti-inflammatory like Motrin. For topical relief, betamethasone dipropionate or fluocinolone acetonide-based creams can be effective where products like Andantol and hydrocortisone creams fail. A prescription for these is required in the USA, although on Coz the American Discount Pharmacy (downtown on 3rd Street South/Calle 3 Sur) will have one of these or an acceptable substitute OTC.

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

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[LeFlaneur]

Sorry about your injury Neal--that sucks, especially on vacation. It does, however, make a persuasive argument for banning gloves. As you have seen, the gloveless diver has a powerful incentive not to touch the reef--much more likely to affect diver behavior than good intentions alone.

:lol: That's true, the second I put gloves on I lose all self-control. I can't wear boots either because when I put them on I get the overwhelming urge to kick people.

 

[Hank49]

It doesn't appear that there is any extremely effective treatment for fire coral envenomation: l]

Time is the only thing that I know....maybe half hour or so..... Just swim on and forget about it. I get stung or hit maybe one of four times I'm free spearing...in the head, thigh, forearm....it always seems to grow just outside the holes that snappers like to hide in. and bumping into it doesn't seem to hurt it either.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Hank49,

I'm not sure cowboyneal is going to find your advice, "Time is the only thing that I know....maybe half hour or so.....," to be very comforting as he reports, "...but we're going on 4 days with this thing now and it doesn't seem to be getting any better."

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Hank49]

Hi Hank49,

I'm not sure cowboyneal is going to find your advice, "Time is the only thing that I know....maybe half hour or so.....," to be very comforting as he reports, "...but we're going on 4 days with this thing now and it doesn't seem to be getting any better."

Regards,

DocVikingo

Maybe he's really allergic or it wasn't fire coral.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/millepor.htm
There's a picture here of the one that I get stung by a lot in Belize.

 

[cowboyneal]

Sorry about your injury Neal--that sucks, especially on vacation. It does, however, make a persuasive argument for banning gloves. As you have seen, the gloveless diver has a powerful incentive not to touch the reef--much more likely to affect diver behavior than good intentions alone.

Wrong - banning gloves doesn't prevent anything, except effective injury prevention. How about we ban gloves on dry suits too? I say BOYCOTT any area that doesn't allow divers to make their own exposure protection choices. You'll see the tune change once the dollars stop pouring in. What's next? No wetsuits? In over 25 years of diving, this is my first coral injury, and this was only the SECOND time I dove without gloves (and only because I didn't want to have the argument on the boat). From now on I put them on at depth and take them off on ascent (if I go to any of these places at all). Let's ban hoods too while we're at it! Ridiculous.

Anyway, it was definitely Millepora. It doesn't really hurt anymore, its just damn ugly...the welts are just red, raised and look like blisters...small children are scared by the sight of my hand...the horror...the horror...the horror....lol....

Anyway, so what you're saying is that the vinegar thing is over...I shouldn't do that anymore, and the Adolph's is just a waste of time at this point too...so I can still do Cortizone to keep the itch off it and the rest is just wait and see what happens...would that just about sum it up?