Parsnips are flat-bodied cartilaginous fish with one or more barbed stingers in the center of the tail. They normally live in tropical and subtropical coastal waters, so they can come into contact with humans. They are usually not aggressive, but use their sting as self-defense when accidentally stepped on, injecting venom into the wound. Fortunately, if you find yourself in a similar situation, it is easy to get the right treatment.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying the Severity of Symptoms
Step 1. Relax
While painful and troubling, parsnip stings are rarely fatal. In fact, almost all deaths caused by stingrays are not due to poison, but rather from injuries to internal organs (in case of a puncture in the chest or abdomen), excessive bleeding, an allergic reaction or an infection. secondary. If any of these complications arise, it can be managed by trained medical personnel.
Step 2. Identify the symptoms
Reflect for a moment on what you are feeling. The most common symptoms include:
- Ache
- Swelling
- Hemorrhage
- Weakness
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea
- Vertigo / lightheadedness
- Palpitations
- Difficulty in breathing
- Fainting
Step 3. Consider the severity of your symptoms
Medically, some symptoms are more severe than others. Determine if you are suffering from an allergic reaction, if you are losing too much blood or if you have been poisoned. If you notice any of the following symptoms you need medical attention immediate.
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Allergic reaction:
swelling of the tongue, lips, head, neck or other parts of the body; difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath or wheezing, red or itchy irritation, fainting or loss of consciousness.
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Excessive bleeding:
dizziness, fainting or loss of consciousness, sweating, rapid heart rate, drop in blood pressure, rapid breathing.
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Poison intoxication:
headache, dizziness, dizziness, palpitations, muscle cramps, convulsions.
Step 4. Get appropriate medical attention
Based on the severity of your symptoms, you receive the medical treatment that best suits your situation. You may need a first aid kit, go to the hospital, or call an ambulance.
If in doubt, always choose the highest level of care, then call an ambulance
Part 2 of 3: Taking Care of the Wound
Step 1. Irrigate the wound with seawater
Before leaving the sea, wet the wound with salt water, removing all debris and foreign bodies from the affected area. If necessary, use tweezers from a first aid kit. Once the skin is thoroughly cleaned, get out of the water and pat dry with a clean cloth, being careful not to worsen the condition of the wound.
NOT remove foreign bodies that enter the neck, chest or abdomen.
Step 2. Check for bleeding
Bleeding is common after a sting of parsnips. As always, the best way to stop the bleeding is to apply direct pressure to the source or slightly higher with your finger for a few minutes. The longer you hold the pressure, the more likely you are to stop the bleeding.
Try using hydrogen peroxide to stop the bleeding if pressure alone isn't enough. Be careful, the hydrogen peroxide will burn
Step 3. Soak the wound in warm water
You can combine this step with the pressure step to control bleeding. Soaking the wound in warm water helps relieve pain by denaturing the complex proteins of the venom. The optimum temperature is 45 ° C, but make sure you don't burn yourself. Leave the wound in the water for 30 to 90 minutes or until the pain is gone.
Step 4. Check for signs of infection in the wound
To properly heal a wound, you need to keep the area clean by washing it with soap and water, then keeping it dry at all times. Leave it in the air and apply an antibiotic ointment every day. Avoid non-antibiotic creams, lotions, and ointments.
In the following days, if the wound turns red, hurts, itches, swells, or produces dull pus, go to the emergency room. You may need antibiotics or drain an abscess
Part 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Care
Step 1. Get a first aid kit
Depending on where you are, you could easily retrieve one. Ask someone to bring it to you as you begin to identify symptoms and treat the wound. The most useful items you can find inside include:
- Gauze
- Disinfectant (hydrogen peroxide, alcohol wipes, soap)
- Tweezers
- Pain relievers
- Antibiotic ointment
- Patches
Step 2. Find the nearest hospital
It is not a bad idea to visit a doctor. This way you will be treated by an experienced professional and will reduce the likelihood of infections and other complications. You will be provided with a treatment plan with instructions and advice based on your doctor's diagnosis.
If the nearest hospital is more than 10 minutes away by car, you should first get a first aid kit and stop the bleeding before moving
Step 3. Call 113
This is the safest choice. Call an ambulance in the following situations:
- Penetrating wounds to the head, neck, chest or abdomen.
- You don't have a chance to find a first aid kit or get to a hospital.
- Symptoms of allergic reaction, excessive bleeding or poison intoxication.
- Information on medical history or drug therapies that may influence wound treatment.
- If you have any doubts, if you are confused, inebriated, foggy, insecure, scared or other similar conditions.
Advice
- Always be careful when swimming, especially in tropical waters. You may encounter stingrays, sharks, and other marine animals. Also, look for people who can help you.
- Drag your feet when you walk in the water, so that you bump into a stingray instead of stepping on it.
- Try to squeeze as much poison out of the wound as possible without aggravating it. It will help you relieve the pain.
- If the sand is hot, you can use it instead of water to warm the wound. Be especially careful to clean it later if you use this method.
- Diphenhydramine stops itching and swelling, so take it as soon as you can. You can also break an aspirin in half and rub it on the wound.
- If the wound itches, DO NOT scratch. You would make it swell even more.
- Urine can help you get rid of the poison.
Warnings
- People with compromised immune systems, such as diabetics or AIDS sufferers, need immediate and intensive medical attention.
- If in doubt, seek medical attention or call an ambulance.
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Call 113 or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Constriction in the chest
- Swelling of the face, lips or mouth
- Difficulty in breathing
- Widespread irritation or hives
- Nausea / vomiting
