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Weeverfish Sting Treatment

Treatment for weeverfish stings includes the following steps:

• Immerse the affected area in water as hot as the person who has been stung can tolerate for 30-90 minutes. Repeat as necessary to control pain.


• Use tweezers to remove any spines in the wound. Symptoms may not go away until all of the spines have been removed.


• Scrub the wound with soap and water and then flush extensively with fresh water.


• Do not cover the wound with tape.


• Hydrocortisone cream may be applied 2-3 times daily for itching. Discontinue immediately if any signs of infection appear.


• If signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat, occur, apply topical antibiotic ointment (bacitracin) 3 times per day.


• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be necessary.


• Oral antibiotics are usually recommended for infection. Continue antibiotics for at least 5 days after all signs of infection have cleared. Inform the doctor of any drug allergy prior to starting any antibiotic. Certain antibiotics cause sensitivity to the sun, so use a sunscreen with at least 15 SPF.


• Pain may be relieved with 1-2 acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 hours, 1-2 ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every 6-8 hours, or both.