Medical Author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Medically Reviewed on 9/24/2021
Doctor's Notes on Catfish Sting
Catfish are a distinctive type of fish with whiskers protruding from the area around the mouth and external spines near their fins. Catfish are usually found in muddy rivers, lakes, and on beaches in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters. Catfish are not aggressive. Catfish sings usually occur when people are fishing or bathing and they come into contact with a catfish, often by stepping on it or handling the fish after it has been caught. Both saltwater and freshwater catfish stings are dangerous. Each type of catfish has three spines and a stinging apparatus.
- Symptoms of a Catfish Sting may include severe pain and inflammation at the site of the sting.
- See a doctor if you have been stung by a catfish.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are usually recommended to relieve pain and decrease redness and inflammation from the catfish sting.
What Is the Treatment for a Catfish Sting?
Catfish stings are usually not life threatening but can be very painful. There is no direct antidote for a catfish sting and treatment is usually aimed at relief of symptoms.
Treatment of a catfish sting may include:
- Immersing the stung body part in water as hot as is tolerable to inactivate the proteins and relieve pain from a sting
- Spines should be removed carefully
- Any wound should be scrubbed with soap and thoroughly rinsed with fresh water
- Cover the wound but do not close with dermal glue or stich it together
- Oral antibiotics are recommended for catfish stings that become infected
- Seek medical care if the wound is red and you think it may be infected
- Antibiotics should be taken if infection develops and continued for at least five days after all signs of infection have resolved
- Pain associated with a catfish sting may be relieved with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) every four hours and/or one to two ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every six to eight hours
Trauma and First Aid : Training and Supplies Quiz
QuestionEmotional trauma is best described as a psychological response to a deeply distressing or life-threatening experience.
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Clupeotoxin Poisoning
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Coral Cuts
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Cuts or Lacerations
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Fire Coral Cuts
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First Aid Kits
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Jellyfish Stings
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Starfish Puncture Wounds
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Stingray Injury
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Stingray Sting
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Stitches and Sutures for Wounds and Lacerations
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Wound Care
Wounds are lacerations, cuts, or punctures in the skin. Wounds can be superficial, deep, punctures, or pressure sores. The amount of pain, inflammation, and bleeding depend on the type of wound. Most superficial wounds can be treated at home. Deep wounds, or complicated wounds generally need medical care. Sutures, staples, or surgical glue for a wound depend on the depth of the wound and the time lapse between the injury and when medical care is sought.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.