Stingray Injury (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Stingray Injury Overview
- Stingray Injury Causes
- Stingray Injury Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Stingray Injury Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Pictures
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
Stingray Injury Treatment
Self-Care at Home
Care of the injured person begins at the scene and is first directed at safe rescue and removal of the victim from the water.
A stingray injury that does not need to be checked by a doctor is rare.
- Home first aid measures should be started, but a medical evaluation is also warranted.
- Lay the person down.
- If the person is vomiting, position the person on the side so they do not inhale vomit.
- Stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean cloth or whatever is available such as a beach towel.
- You may attempt to remove the stinger with tweezers to decrease toxin exposure if doing so will not cause further injury. Be careful not to injure yourself with the stinger.
- If there is no pain, then treat as a puncture wound or laceration by cleaning and disinfecting with soap and water.
- If there is pain, bleeding, or more than a minor wound, and symptoms such as faintness or sweating (which indicate that venom has been absorbed into the body), arrange for transportation to a medical facility.
- If in a remote area, treat the pain by immersing the injured area in water as hot (but not burning) as the person is able to tolerate (113°F or 45°C) for 30-90 minutes. This neutralizes the painful effects of the venom because the venom is inactivated by heat.
- Oral pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) can be given if the person is not vomiting and not allergic to it.
- If in a remote area, treat the pain by immersing the injured area in water as hot (but not burning) as the person is able to tolerate (113°F or 45°C) for 30-90 minutes. This neutralizes the painful effects of the venom because the venom is inactivated by heat.
- If you belong to Divers Alert Network (DAN), call their emergency number to obtain medical evacuation assistance and arrange for referral to a medical care facility. Your DAN membership card has details.
Next: Medical Treatment »
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
First Aid Resources
- 12 Tips to Fight Colds, Flu and Other Viruses
- An Embarrassing Condition for Many Kids
- Is Your Baby a "Happy Spitter"?
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Also on eMedicineHealth
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Stingray Envenomation »
Stingrays (ie, elasmobranchs) are bottom-dwelling cartilaginous fish that have a flattened body, one or more stout spines on the tail, gill slits on the lower surface of the head, teeth modified into 2 large crushing plates, and no dorsal fin.

