 Stingray Stings
Stingrays are commonly found lying
half-buried in the sand of coastal temperate areas. Stingrays
like smooth water so be extra careful during that time.
Stingrays feel the vibrations when you shuffle in the sand and
swim away ... be safe, do the stingray shuffle!
Tampa Bay Stingray Season: May -
October
If you are stung by a Stingray
visit or call our office immediately at 727-517-1500. Pieces
of the stingray barb can be stuck in the wound and must be
removed.
Injuries tend to occur when an
unsuspecting person steps on the stingray, causing the animal
to reflexively strike the person with its defensive mechanism.
The stingray’s tail has one or more barbed stingers and 2
ventrolateral venom containing grooves. The tail is thrust
into the victim, usually in the foot or lower leg, producing a
deep jagged laceration from the serrated spine. The injury can
be immediately fatal as unfortunately experienced by
naturalist and TV personality Steve Irwin. The stinger
apparatus then injects a protein based toxin into the wound,
causing immediate intense (even excruciating) pain in the
victim. Injury may occur without envenomation because many
stingrays lose or tear the integumentary sheath covering the
venom glands.
The wound may bleed freely and the
patient may have systemic symptoms including:
-
Syncope
-
Nausea
-
Vomiting
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Diarrhea
-
Diaphoresis
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Muscle Cramps
-
Abdominal Pain
-
Hypotension
Call or Visit Indian
Shores Walk-In Clinic Today Phone: (727) 517-1500
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
20001 Gulf Blvd., Suite 7, Indian Shores, FL 33785 |
