Stung by unidentified "animal", please help!

[Haloeight]

Hello! I am new to diving and I just got back from my first diving trip to Belize. During the first dive, I was stung by something in the sand/coral on the ground underwater. I was sitting on my knees on the bottom (I had a weighting problem and was attempting to drop some weight with the dive masters help, who also had his knees on the ground). Anyway, while all of this is going on, I felt a prick in my knee. I tried to brush it away, but it would not come out. I took a closer look and there was a thing that looked like a bee's stinger, but smaller, in my knee. It was a light pinkish color and had a sac around it just like a bee's stinger does. I looked on the ground and did not see anything. Immediatly, it started to burn. By the end of the trip, about 45 minutes later, my whole leg was on fire. My lower back started to hurt and my chest was real sore. The spot that I had gotten stung in was really swollen and I had this rash looking thing about 4" in diameter around the spot. By the time I got back to my room, My arms were hurting too. The dive master told me it was fire coral and he put ammonia on it. This did nothing but stink. I took some benadryl and a nap. The next day, it stopped hurting, but it was still swollen and red. It is two weeks later and I have a large scab there now. I have been reading about fire coral, but it does not sound like it to me. What do you guys think it was?

 

[Walter]

I don't know what it was, but I know it wasn't fire coral. None of your description sounds like fire coral. Go to a doctor ASAP and take DAN's phone number with you.

 

[Ann Marie]

I'm with Walter on this one. I've brushed fire coral and it burned for perhaps an hour and didn't have any of the signs or symptoms that you are noticing.

 

[shep]

My guess is that you knelt down on a Bristleworm or Fireworm buried in the sand. Nasty, long lasting stings can come from a variety of critters in the segmented worm family.


ask at www.diversalertnetwork.org as they may have the exact answer.


shep

 

[mnj1233]

Recovered or not its nice to know what has invaded your body. Good suggestions above. Find out the source and post it here please, may help us all some day.

 

[Walter]

My guess is that you knelt down on a Bristleworm or Fireworm buried in the sand.

Two problems with that theory. I've never known them to burrow in the sand and the description of the wound doesn't match a Bristle Worm sting. The appearance of a Bristle Worm sting matches that of Fire Coral, although a Bristle Worm can be life threatening in severity.

I took a closer look and there was a thing that looked like a bee's stinger, but smaller, in my knee. It was a light pinkish color and had a sac around it just like a bee's stinger does.

 

[Haloeight]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I have contacted them and hope to hear something soon. I will post it when I find out!

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

I took a closer look and there was a thing that looked like a bee's stinger, but smaller, in my knee. It was a light pinkish color and had a sac around it. What do you guys think it was?

A perverted bug who is now a eunuch?

 

[DandyDon]

Sorry about your misfortune, and good luck on your recovery.

So that we might learn from your accident, would you tell us what suit you were wearing? I am tempted to wear my long skin in warm waters, but try to wear the long 1 mil with knee pads for greater protection.

Inmho, shorties & swim suits are for jet skiers & experts like Walter. Most divers and surfers need the protection of a long suit.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

In Cozumel, I wore a full skin on the first day, but after rinsing it, I neglected to dry it out and instead, stuffed it in my boat bag with the rest of my gear. The next day, it was ROTTEN SMELLING!! Phew!!!!! So I dove the next few days in swim trunks and my BC.

(another lesson learned!) LOL