Health Encyclopedia

Stingray

Definition

A stingray is a sea animal with a whip-like tail. The tail contains sharp spines that contain venom. This article describes the effects of a stingray sting.

Poisonous Ingredient

Stingray venom

Where Found

Stingrays
Related species

Symptoms

Airways and lungs
- Breathing difficulty
Heart and blood
- Low blood pressure
Nervous system
- Fainting
- Generalized cramps
- Headache
- Paralysis
- Weakness
Skin
- Bleeding
- Pain and swelling of lymph nodes near the area of the sting
- Severe pain at site of sting
- Sweating
- Swelling
Stomach and intestines
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting

Home Treatment

Wash the area with salt water. Remove any foreign material at the wound site. Contact an emergency room. Soak the wound in the hottest water the patient can tolerate for 30-90 minutes, if instructed to do so.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the marine animal
Time of the sting
Location of the sting

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital, and any appropriate first aid that can be administered prior to arrival.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Washing of the area
Removal of any foreign material possible
Soaking of the wound
Medicines to treat symptoms (such as antibiotics for infection)

Expectations (prognosis)

Recovery usually takes about 24-48 hours. Death has occurred when the patient's chest or abdomen was punctured.

Review Date:10/24/2007
Reviewed By:Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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