Marine Life Injury First Aid

Marine life includes animals and fish that live in the water. Some of these animals may bite or sting you. Bites or stings from marine life are not common.

Some may cause you to have an allergic reaction, which can be dangerous. Wounds from these injuries can become infected from bacteria in seawater, dirt, or foreign debris.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, use it as told by your doctor. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if your condition improves.

Wound care

• Follow instructions from your doctor about how to take care of your wound. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your bandage as told by your doctor.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or skin tape (adhesive) strips in place, if you have them. They may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If tape strips get loose and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove tape strips unless your doctor says it is okay.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
  • Warmth.

General instructions

• If directed, put ice on the injured area.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2-3 times per day.
• If possible, keep the injured area raised (elevated) above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.
• Limit your activities as told by your doctor. Try to avoid using the injured area until your symptoms improve.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have redness, swelling, or pain around your wound.
• You have fluid or blood coming from your wound.
• Your wound feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your wound.
• You have a fever.
• You feel sick to your stomach (nauseous).
• You throw up (vomit).
• You have watery poop (diarrhea).

Get help right away if:

• You have a bad headache.
• You start to shake.
• You lose feeling in any part of your body.
• You have swelling that is getting worse.
• You have signs of an allergic reaction. Signs may include:
  • Itchy, red, swollen areas of skin.
  • Swelling of your:
    • Eyes.
    • Lips.
    • Face.
    • Mouth.
    • Tongue.
    • Throat.
  • Trouble with any of these:
    • Breathing.
    • Talking.
    • Swallowing.
  • Breathing loudly (wheezing).
  • Passing out (fainting).
  • Having any of these feelings:
    • Warmth in your face (flushed).
    • Dizziness.
    • Lightheadedness.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

• Marine life includes animals and fish that live in the water. Some of these animals may bite or sting you.
• Wounds from these injuries can become infected from bacteria in seawater, dirt, or foreign debris.
• Follow instructions from your doctor about how to take care of your wound.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection.