Stung by sting ray this morning during open water swim in Indian River Lagoon in Florida. Left arch. Worst pain of my life. Clean sting in that the attacker didn’t leave anything behind other than burning venom.
My questions are has anyone else here had the misfortune to experience this and secondly what was rehab period?
Thanks,
Mark
Damn dude. That is nasty. I have no idea how to treat this. I remember reading some vague chemical treatment that I can’t remember.
Dude, go the the E.R. Some venoms contain a powerful chemical that induce the spread of necrosis through the tissues, killing them and inviting powerful infections. This is not to be trifled with. I’d get that looked at.
Best wishes to you and good luck with that.
sorry for confusion. ER part is already complete. That was THE FIRST stop, believe me.
What I was inquiring about was getting back into training.
To avoid stingrays it is best to shuffle your feet as you walk out. If walk regular you may step on one, but if you shuffle your feet the vibrations will scare them off.
So I was told AFTER I got stung. :->
Should have posted about how this yesterday then 
I am at work right now and I see a 91 year old man perfectly demonstrating the “stingray shuffle”, too bad he is doing it on a treadmill.
what treatment did you get at the ER? I used to lifeguard in San Diego and we used to stick someone’s foot in water that was hot as they were able to tolerate. This would dissociate the protein that was the primary agent in terms of what would cause pain. Most patients had a tender foot for a couple days and were fine after that. Less than 1% of the time the barb would get stuck in the foot and we would have to send the person to the ER. So my question: what did they do at the ER?
Immediate at site of the* *attack we did hot compresses. Tetnus (sp) shot at ER, antibiotics via IV and then hot water soak and LOTS of painkiller. More hot water soak at home. Pain has subsided. Just discomfort now.
Thanks.
Mark
The Hot water / Coffee ,is the way to go. Rock fish have the same sort of thing , I have been stung 4-5 times handling fish ,as for rays pick a rocky or grooved wavey bottom, they like smooth flat sand areas.
Stung last year in Coronado, CA. Yes, some of the worst pain I have ever experianced. Hot water treatment for the first 5 of 6 hours and then a sore stiff foot for about 3-4 days afterwards. Full running a week later. I’m currently hobbled by a broken left little toe. Two broken bones out of 4. It has only been a week since I broke it and I am already going nuts. How do you maintain any sort of aerobic fitness with your legs when you can’t use one of them?
Mark
About 25 years ago in Mexico I was stung by a stingray. The guy at the local Red Cross station injected the site with lidocaine, which immediately relieved the pain. It returned, though much more tolerably, some hours later when the lidocaine wore off. I still have the scar. I later learned of the hot water treatment. The venoms are polypeptides that are denatured by heat. Haven’t had the occasion to apply that knowledge, thankfully.
Use an upper body erg, if your gym has one.
The same thing happened to me exiting the swim during a race (in Destin Fla.) about 4 years ago.
Hurt like a bitch didn’t it.
Mine was right on the bottom of my heel. The skin around it turned all black and discolored and hurt for about a month. Yes, for a while I was paranoid every time I went into the gulf.
Hurt like a bitch didn’t it. <<
Damn sure did!!!
Mine was right on the bottom of my heel. The skin around it turned all black and discolored and hurt for about a month. Yes, for a while I was paranoid every time I went into the gulf. <<
It will be a long time before I get back in that river!!!
That’s why man created Duathlons. ;->
How long was it before you were able to resume walking let along running and riding?
I have no pain now but my foot is swollen and ugly as hell.
From Scuba doc online: http://www.scuba-doc.com/hzrdmrnlf.html STINGRAY Phylum Chordata, Class Chondrichthyes. These possess a serrated bony spine at the base of the dorsal surface of the tail. An integumentary sheath discharges venom when ruptured. Most injuries occur when the ray is stepped on, the tail is thrust upward and forward and fired into the foot or leg. The venom is thermolabile (deactivated with heat) and induces severe vasoconstriction. Symptoms: Intense pain is felt at the site; there is local ischemia (loss of blood supply), and edema. Edges are jagged, may contain pieces of spine and secondary infection is common. Systemic effects include salivation, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, hypotension (low blood pressure), and cardiovascular collapse. Treatment: Irrigate and remove remaining spine. Immerse in hot (50 C) water until pain subsides. Give local or systemic pain relief. Cleanse, debride and suture the wound. Give tetanus protection, infection prophylaxis and monitor / support cardio-respiratory system as indicated Sometimes divers get these - and they can leave slight residual pain for a looooong time (several months).
Thank you for the reply.
Mark
Pee on it…
Pee on it…
That’s jellyfish, but nice try.
man, i have no advice, but feel like passing out at the thought of going through what you went through. i just wish you well, and am sorry to hear this!!
I got stung years ago…you’re through the pain part but watch out for infection…