Wilderness: Fire Coral Cuts (cont.)

1. First Aid Care and Pain Relief for Minor Injuries
2. First Aid Essentials Slideshow
3. Take the Trauma and First Aid Quiz

The following guidelines are suggested to treat fire coral cuts:

• Rinse with seawater. Avoid fresh water because it will increase pain.
• Apply topical acetic acid (vinegar) or isopropyl alcohol. This treatment can inactivate the venom (toxin).
• Remove any parts of the fire coral with tweezers or with tape after treating with acetic acid or isopropyl alcohol; this will help remove the toxin that causes the symptoms.
• Immobilize the extremity because movement may cause the venom (toxin) to spread.
• Apply hydrocortisone cream two to three times daily as needed for itching. Discontinue immediately if any signs of infection appear.

If the person who has come into contact with fire coral develops shortness of breath; swelling of the tongue, face, or throat; or other signs of an allergic reaction, the patient should be treated for an allergic reaction. If no signs of allergic reaction are present, pain may be relieved with one to two tablets of acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 hours (not to exceed 3 grams in a 24 hour time period) and/or one to two tablets of ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every 6-8 hours. Some health care professionals prefer naproxen (Aleve) for pain treatment.

• In severe cases, seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
• Consult a doctor for treatment with available medications, especially if the affected area develops pus, or a blister more than 3/16 of an inch (5mm) in diameter (bullae) forms with any read streaks that appear on the skin. If itching lasts more than a few days or pus or blister (bullae) develops with topical hydrocortisone treatment, seek medical care immediately.

Picture of Fire Coral, Image Courtesy of Cecil Berry Click to view larger image.

Picture of Fire Coral Sting on Torso Click to view larger image.

Medically reviewed John A. Daller, MD; American Board of Surgery with subspecialty certification in surgical critical care

REFERENCE:

MedscapeReference.com. Cnidaria Envenomation.