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Marine Animal Bite or Sting

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 3, 2024.

A marine animal bite or sting happens when you are poisoned or wounded by an animal that lives in salt water. Marine animals that bite include barracudas, moray eels, and sharks. Animals that inject poison through tentacles include Portuguese man-of-war, jellyfish, and sea anemones. Broken tentacles can still sting for weeks or months after being separated from the animal, even if they are dried. Animals that sting with spines or barbs include stingrays and sea urchins.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent

is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

An IV

is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Medicines:

You may be given the following medicines:

Tests:

Treatment:

Treatment depends on which marine animal caused the injury, and the location and how bad the injury is. It also depends on how long you have had the injury and if other body parts were affected. You may need any of the following:

RISKS:

You may have severe loss of blood and tissues. Marine bites or stings that are not treated may lead to more serious problems, such as infections and severe allergic reactions. Severe allergic reactions may cause life-threatening problems such as irregular heartbeats, breathing problems, or coma.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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