GotoAID - Fire Coral Sting

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Fire Coral Sting

Fire Corals resemble harmless seaweed and when a diver's bare skin brushes against them the Corals' tiny tentacles penetrate and deliver venom resulting in a stinging pain.

Symptoms

Sharp Stinging Pain	Rash
Burning Sensation	Swelling

Steps

Remove any remaining tentacles with a gloved hand or a hand wrapped in a towel. You may also use tweezers to remove the stinging cells.

Wash the area with copious amounts of sea water to remove and deactivate the stinging cells.

Pour vinegar on the wound to prevent the release of additional venom.

Pat dry the wound site with sand, powder, cornstarch or meat tenderizer.

Immobilize the body part to slow the spread of the venom. Apply a bandage directly over the wound and an additional bandage above and below the wound ensuring full coverage of skin.

If there is swelling at the site, place a cold compress or an ice pack on the area for 20 minutes every hour.

If the person has shortness of breath, weakness, or chest pain, or if the person faints, call 911 or take the person to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Warnings

DO NOT use fresh water or tap water because fresh water can stimulate the stinging cells to release venom

DO NOT use your bare hand to remove tentacles as they can still be active

DO NOT apply creams or lotions because if the sting is not neutralized, the creams may trap the poison in the skin.

DO NOT scrub the affected area.

Tips

Despite the burning pain, fire coral stings are non-fatal, unless you develop an infected wound or have an allergic reaction to the venom.

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