What happens if you get stung by a stonefish?

What happens if you get stung by a stonefish?

If you inadvertently step on a stonefish thinking it’s a harmless rock, it will pop up its dorsal spines and release venom from two sacs at the base of each spine. Unsurprisingly, the more venom that is injected, the worse it is for you. Stings result in terrible pain, swelling, necrosis (tissue death) and even death.

What to do if you step on a stone fish?

First Aid Treatment

1. Ensure rescuer will not become envenomated.
2. Phone 000 or 112 calling for ambulance, state suspected stonefish envenomation.
3. If the spine is embedded – manage as per penetrating injury (pad base of spine and apply pressure to pads, DO NOT REMOVE SPINE)

Where are stonefish Stingers?

Stonefish stings in Australia Stonefish stings can occur on the beach, not just in the water, since stonefish can survive out of the water for up to 24 hours. They are not easily seen as they look similar to rocks or coral. Stonefish antivenom is the second-most administered in Australia.

What are the symptoms of a stonefish sting?

Typical symptoms include:

• Intense pain at the sting site.
• Local swelling and bruising maybe seen. Also inspect the area for a retained spine.
• Systemic features can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and dyspnoea.
• Rarely patients can develop hypotension, bradycardia, collapse, pulmonary oedema and cyanosis.

Is it possible to get stonefish envenomation?

Although stonefish envenomation is believed to be potentially lethal, actual reports of life-threatening illness largely reflect information obtained secondhand 1,2. In most cases, symptoms are limited to severe local manifestations in the involved extremity.

When to use CSL Stonefish as an antivenom?

CSL stonefish antivenom is used if the patient is refractory to IV opioid analgesia, regional block or has features of systemic envenomation. See link for further details.

Can a Stonefish be treated with pressure immobilisation?

No one knows… Pressure Immobilisation Technique is not used as it is a localised envenomation and the venom does not enter the lymphatic system (such as you would encounter with snake envenomation). In wrapping up, prevention is better than the cure. When swimming or wading in the ocean, we’re entering the home of the Stonefish.

What happens if stonefish is left untreated?

This pain may last for several days. If left untreated, muscle paralysis, breathing difficulties and death may occur. The good news with Stonefish envenomation is that there have been no recorded deaths in Australia since European arrival. The development of an antivenom in 1959 further helps reduce mortality with Stonefish envenomation.