Snakebite (Snake Bite) Topic Guide

First aid is an important skill to learn in case of emergencies. Learn how to prevent injuries, prevent falls, prevent fires, prevent poisoning, when to seek urgent care for injuries, and what to stock in a first aid kit in your home, office, car, boat, or RV.

First aid kits come in all types and varieties depending on their use. There are home, car, work, and travel first aid kits. The essentials for a first kit depends on the type, for example, home first aid kits are used for treating minor injuries like burns, stings, splinters, sprains, and strains. Travel first aid kits need to be more comprehensive to treat fevers, sore throats, cough, etc..Keep your first aid kits in places that are easy to access in emergencies. Moreover, make sure that you know how to use all of the items as instructed.

Sea snakes are generally not aggressive unless provoked or cornered. Sea snakes are highly venomous. Symptoms from a sea snake bite will occur within three hours of the bite and include: painful muscles, inability to move the legs, joint aches, blurred vision, thick tongue, excessive saliva production, vomiting, and droopy eyelids. There is an antivenom available for sea snake bites.

Sea urchins are non-aggressive marine animals and have spines and pedicellaria (venomous organs). Symptoms of puncture wounds include, redness, swelling around the area, fatigue, muscle aches, weakness, shock, or respiratory failure if the puncture wound is deep. Treatment of sea urchin puncture wounds are removal of th spines and pedicellaria. Antibiotics may be necessary if infection occurs.

Sea stars (starfish) and crown of thorns are both bottom dwellers. They can puncture the skin, causing pain. Symptoms and signs of starfish or crown of thorns puncture wounds include pain, bleeding, inflammation at the injury site, nausea, vomiting, weakness, numbness, and paralysis (in rare cases). Treatment methods include cleaning the area, removing any spines if possible, applying antibiotic cream, and taking oral antibiotics if infection occurs. Sea stars and crown of thorns punctures may need to be treated by a doctor.