Stung by an unknown

[skoobagrl]

Hey Everyone,

I hope I'm posting this in the right forum. I was diving in San Carlos, Mexico a few weeks ago and was stung by something that I can't identify. Unfortunately, snapping a picture of it was my last thought. The only way I know how to describe it is that it looked like a small mound of small circular sacks that was clear to brownish in color. Once it stung me, it either move or I knocked it off the rock it was sitting on and the bottom looked like the top of a small jellyfish but there wasn't a bell. It was about 2-3 inches in diameter and about as tall as it was round.

Once it stung me it was an immediate reaction. The pain was horrible, unlike fire coral or a slight jellyfish sting where you hardly realize it until you get out of the water. It swelled, turned white and was hot to the touch. I wouldn't be too concerned about it except that just when I thought it was gone, the area where I was stung is now re-inflamed. It's now red and itchy.

Anyone have any ideas as to what this could be?

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi skoobagrl,

Some questions:

1. Were there any initial signs or symptoms other than swelling, blanching and extreme pain, e.g., headache, shortness of breath, nausea, extreme fatigue?

2. Did the sting leave a mark(s) such as could be made by a jellyfish tentacle or fish/urchin spine?

3. Could it have been a puncture wound?

4. Could the envenomation have come from a creature in or near the entity observed rather than directly from the thing described?

5. Can you provide any additional information about the creature you saw?

6. About how long was it between the initial sting and when it appeared to start resolving?

7. Have you tried any treatment? If so, what and what has been the result?

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[skoobagrl]

Hi DocVikingo,

I'm going to answer your questions as you asked them:

1. There were no other symptoms. I got stung on my 1st dive of the day and though the spot on my arm where I was stung hurt, I did complete my 2nd dive with no issues.

2. Yes the sting left a mark. At first it was similar to a large mosquito bite that had formed a small head on it. I popped it and a tiny bit of yellowish clear liquid came out. Then the swelling reduced and the sting started to go away until 2 weeks after the initial sting. Then the area affected started swelling again and itching. The area is still raised today and it looks exactly like a paisly (a rounded area at the top with a tail spiraling off of it) and it is composed of little bumps.

3. No it was not a punture wound, I thought of that as well but there was no blood and the skin hadn't been broken.

4. It is possible that it could have come from another creature but if so, I didn't notice anything other then what I described above.

5. In the research that I've been doing on the internet, it may have been a corallimorph otherwise known as a mushroom?? From the pictures I've seen of corallimorphs it's as close as I can get to what I saw, though not exact. I also really can't find any information about their sting or how to treat it. I'm finding more information on how to take care of one in your saltwater tank.

6. Initial sting was Sunday, June 28th. It started clearing up a few days after that and by July 10th it was all but a dry patch on my arm. Until July 12th, 2 weeks after initial sting. Then it turned into the paisly and it is still there today, 3 weeks after initial sting.

7. The only thing I've tried is cortizone cream, it doesn't seem to be helping. It may be "drying" it out but it's kind of like a mosquito bite in that if I scratch it, it swells again.

Hope that helps in determining what this could be. I'd like to be rid of it. Thanks for your help!

-skoobagrl

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi skoobagrl,

The corallimorphs can resemble what you describe and they're often called "mushroom anemones." It is possible this was the offending creature. Another possibility is one of the related zoanthids, which can have a nastier sting.

In any event, it is not uncommon for such envenomations to be slow to resolve, and to largely resolve and then return as the result of a delayed or cyclical hypersensitivity reaction. This is not cause for excessive alarm, but is unpleasant and leaves the door open to infection. BTW, these types of stings generally are not responsive to normal strength topical cortisone.

Seeing a dermatologist might be a prudent idea.

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.