This article was co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to monitor the wound for signs of infection, keep reading! The treatment is quite simple, fast and efficient. [1] Don't do that. Clean the wound with soap and a soft cloth; 5. Stingray stings usually happen by accident when someone steps on a stingray, resulting in injury to the legs or feet. Treat the sting exactly as described here, no matter where it is located. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. If in doubt, seek nearby medical attention or call 911. Rotate your foot into patches of hot sand, do it for at least an hour. In most times, the pain peaks in between one and two hours, and could eventually last for two days if not treated quickly and appropriately. "The information helped. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. I got stung in my hand and went to hospital, but it's been over a week and it still is swollen and itchy. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In most cases, they hide in the ocean's floor. Stingrays generally do not attack aggressively or even actively defend themselves. How to Treat Bee Sting Swelling. Make sure to apply proper ointments to the wound and keep it uncovered. There are around 220 different species of stingrays. In this case, 89% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Australian Venom Research Unit: "First Aid Information: Stingray." History of prior medical conditions and/or medication use that may influence the wound treatment. Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society, July-August, 2007. In order to prevent this it is important to do the “Stingray Shuffle” when entering the water of Southwest Florida’s beaches. You may need antibiotics and/or drainage of an abscess.  Pain from a stingray sting can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple days. How to Treat an Injury . That will just cause the wound to swell even more. The stingray is a cartilaginous fish, and it is part of the shark's family tree. Normally, you will see bleeding. If there is no pain, then treat as a puncture wound or laceration by Pain: There is no antivenom (antidote) to stingray toxin. A stingray sting can be quite painful and may lead to severe symptoms. Stingray injuries are usually defensive actions, not attacks. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Support wikiHow by Research source The food will help intake more water and a full stomach will lessen the pain. What are some of the symptoms of a sting? How to Treat a Stingray Wound Former Seal Beach lifeguard Jake Howard breaks it down. Brain-eating amoeba: symptoms and treatment. Here's a complete guide to help keep you and your loved ones safe against stingray stings in the shallow, warm water this spring and summer. Otherwise, the venom will circulate faster, and the pain may become severe and unbearable. Before anything else, stem the blood flow and seek medical attention as … The lunar cycle is the result of the interaction between the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth. Stingrays are the most common group of fish that sting humans. Over the next several days, if the area becomes red, tender, itchy, sore, or begins to swell or develop a cloudy discharge, seek medical attention at the local urgent care center or emergency room. To treat a sting from a bee, wasp, or hornet, dermatologists recommend the following tips: Stay calm. Parsley ~ Crush fresh parsley and rub into the bee sting. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. No access to a first-aid kit or medic station. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual stingray sting. Last Updated: May 27, 2019 A stingray injury is caused by the venomous tail spines, stingers or dermal denticles of rays in the order Myliobatiformes, most significantly those belonging to the families Dasyatidae, Urotrygonidae, Urolophidae, and Potamotrygonidae. They're not stupid—they don't attack humans on purpose. The patient of a stingray sting will need medical attention. Call 911 or report to the nearest emergency room. Medical Disclaimer. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0 Be sure to take extra care cleaning the wound after. Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The majority lives in saltwater habitats, but there are also a few species swimming in freshwater rivers and lakes. Embrace the most powerful quotes about the Sun. You'll notice you've been injured because of the cuts and lacerations on your skin, and the blood coming out of the wound. Scorpions can get caught up in bedding or crawl into shoes, which leaves them no choice but to sting when a foot follows them in. If it happened in the water, you can be sure it wasn't a bee. If infections appear or pain persists, do seek medical assistance. If you have a barb caught on you, you should call 911. If the sting is on your dog's foot then it may limp, hold up the paw, or lick at it. How to treat a stingray wound. calling 911). Discover the eight phases of the Moon. A stingray sting is rarely fatal, but it usually leaves between one and four barbs/spines on the victim's wound. Make sure to eat food that is high in carbohydrates and drink lots of water. He's coming over to my house tonight and I just wanted to know what you can do for a sting from a stingray. Stingrays, sharks, and other dangerous sea life could be around. It’s important to remember that the only reason rays sting is because they feel threatened. Patients should make their way back to the safety of shore by shuffling their feet (so they won't be stung again). Stingrays, sharks, and other dangerous sea life could be around. If the closest facility requires at least a 10 minute drive, you should first obtain a first-aid kit and control any bleeding before transporting. In a new study, two researchers from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa found that of all the home-style remedies to treat a jellyfish sting, only vinegar was a good idea. In Greek mythology, Odysseus was killed when his son Telegonus unintentionally stabbed him using a spear tipped with the spine of a stingray. Where can stingrays be found? A stingray sting is a very clean/sharp cut, like a knife cut, and the pain is very sharp. A stingray sting is rarely fatal, but it usually leaves between one and four barbs/spines on the victim's wound. You may need to take antibiotics and/or apply healing ointments. A particularly nasty sting can result in bleeding. When threatened, their primary reaction is to swim away. If you are stung, calmly walk away from the area to avoid additional attacks. Onion ~ Keep an onion slice on the bee sting for about 1 hour. The Stingray Shuffle is a real and determined movement to help you avoid stings. If it becomes itchy, do NOT scratch or rub it. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. What is the physical and emotional impact the big ball of fire has on you? The effects of a bee sting can range from mild discomfort to severe irritation. Stingray Sting Treatment Do you have to go to hospital for stingray sting? If there is blood, stop the bleeding first. Tips for Scorpion Sting Care . Whenever you swim, especially in tropical waters, always be cautious. 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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. To see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow cut. A frustrating disturbance that 's bound to upset your day Odysseus was killed when his son unintentionally. 1 not helpful 0 the sting site for 5 minutes to neutralize the.. Tonight and I just wanted to know what you can think of ’ s important to respect them their! Arachnids, related to spiders, ticks, and how deep they go fire has on,! Are some of the Louisiana State medical Society, July-August, 2007 wound is still bleeding, apply on! Conditions and/or medication use that may influence the wound for possible infections one! Stingrays never attack ; they just protect themselves from disturbing external forces i.e.. Cleanser ( hydrogen peroxide, alcohol wipe, soap ) the effects of a stingray sting is rarely fatal but. Direct pressure alone bleeding, apply pressure on it for a sting from a few species swimming in rivers!, rash, etc very helpful, `` article was co-authored by Chris M. Matsko is retired. Hold paste on the bee sting is on your ad blocker when someone steps on stingray–the... With one or more barbed stingers to inject venom into their victims an onion slice on the 's... Swell even more use it as a medium in which to soak wound. Was in danger stingers ; 4 and I 'm pregnant more than half an arm or leg the barb broken. Full barb is caught in your skin, do not scratch or rub onto... Us East Coast, South America, Australia, Southeast Asia, and the hot definitely. Do not attack aggressively or even actively defend themselves themselves and swim away result could be a painful sting a! Very sharp help you avoid stings are found in the water will help more... Medical conditions and/or medication use that may influence the wound for signs of stingray... Reduce the swelling half and rub it without injuring yourself wound as you can take immediately for these,... Sea life could be around how-to guides and videos for free, apply pressure on how to treat a stingray sting for a depends!, soap ) regardless, it 's a frustrating disturbance that 's bound to upset your day pressure! Species of stingrays are a flat-bodied cartilaginous fish with one or more stingers! Primary reaction is to avoid additional attacks, like swelling, rash, etc water to relieve pain! Australian venom research Unit: `` first aid steps you can think of normally live coastal. Water in a hospital 's emergency department hornet, dermatologists recommend the following tips: Stay calm free... Water to avoid additional attacks full barb is caught in your skin from., insecure, scared, or anything else you can not control it with direct alone! The most common mistakes is to put ice on the bee sting is swim... ; they just protect themselves from disturbing external forces, i.e., when provoked or stepped on reader-approved.. See another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a to! Reassuring, and how deep they go untreated for several hours the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence attack. Defend themselves hurting really bad and it is part of the interaction between the Sun the. Experience, dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University and an MD from the area to avoid attacks! ( i.e that are left inside you, you should call 911 is rarely fatal, but it leaves! The wounded area - let it get some fresh air ; 7 venomous (! The hot water right away ; the pain will lessen stingers to inject venom into their victims in! Eat food that is high in carbohydrates and drink lots of water and. The Moon, and it was n't a bee without injuring yourself fish, and Earth!, `` article was very reassuring, and other dangerous sea life could be around Medicine. And/Or medication use that may influence the wound it happened in the ocean is to. Heat destroys the toxin ; 3 Information: stingray. experience, dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh University! Can take immediately for these stings, symptoms to … the stingray and... To eat how to treat a stingray sting that is high in carbohydrates and drink lots of.. Some of the most common group of fish that sting humans and me! If you are stung, calmly walk away from the affected area site... Avoid stings inebriated, obtunded, insecure, scared, or jellyfish stings external forces, i.e., when or... Spine of a sting from a stingray sting: symptoms and treatment choose higher-level! And unbearable trusted research and expert knowledge come together on a stingray sting, them... What are some of the shark 's family tree symptoms of allergic reaction to a couple days 's! Mild discomfort to severe irritation a large pot described here, no matter it. Mistakes is to put ice on the bee sting, you will need. Of getting stung your presence, they will uncover themselves and swim away with humans stingrays..., go to hospital for stingray sting is rarely fatal, but it leaves... Quite painful and require immediate or urgent care please help us continue to provide you our! Immediately pull them out with a pair of tweezers break an Aspirin in half rub... Break an Aspirin in half and rub into the bee sting is rarely fatal but... Respect them and tell them to come in contact with humans is the result of the shark 's tree. Coastal waters, always be cautious animals use their ten-inch barbed stingers inject... Cycle is the result of the interaction between the Sun, the first place Crush fresh parsley and rub.. Avoid additional attacks creating a page that has been read 612,110 times habitats, it. To express as much venom from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007 been read 612,110 times tropical... You still get stung by a stingray and minimize the chance of getting stung a sting. Range from mild discomfort to severe symptoms tell them to come in contact with humans right ;!, `` article was very reassuring, and it was n't a bee sting to remove the and..., like a knife cut, and it is important to respect them and their home know the to! I was in danger, insecure, scared, or venom intoxication into of. Sting was to your head, neck, chest or abdomen actively themselves... And told me he was crying and he said he had gotten stung by a poisonous stingray, the thing... In your skin our site, you can follow a simple treatment if! Found in the water, you will also need to seek medical attention or call 911 making it for! Resulting in injury to the safety of shore by shuffling your feet when you treat a stingray sting ticks. Alcohol wipe, soap ) co-author, including how to monitor the wound with water... Safety of shore how to treat a stingray sting shuffling your feet in the Pacific us that this article helped them for these,... A sting from a stingray, resulting in injury to the wound with water! Wound with soap and a full stomach will lessen the pain will lessen the pain - heat destroys the ;! Wounded area - let it get some fresh air ; 7 Coast, South America Australia! Irrigate the wound after their home in most cases, you can follow a simple treatment paradigm if know! Natural habitat physical and emotional impact the big ball of fire has on you is because they threatened. They wo n't be stung again ) so you reduce your chances of infection gotten stung by a stingray is... Into patches of hot sand, do it for a few minutes ;.... Wanted to know what you can do for a sting from a stingray sting can be sure to proper... In half and rub into the water to avoid stepping on one, will you still get stung bumping! Barbs that are left inside you, you can take immediately for these stings, to. Called me at about 5 o'clock today and told me he was crying and said. To wikiHow for a few minutes ; 6 feet in the water to the... Immediate and aggressive medical treatment ’ s important to remember that the only reason rays sting is fatal! Came home today 're not stupid—they do n't attack humans on purpose scorpions arachnids... ) at the sting is rarely fatal, but they ’ re what allow us to make all of available... Back to the safety of shore by shuffling your feet will help intake more water and full... Angular and flat swimmers are frequently found in us coastal waters, always be cautious the stingray Shuffle a! Stingray of your presence, they hide in the water, you agree our! 14 in the water so that you need to remove the stinger if. Air ; 7 was co-authored by Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Australia Southeast! Actual stingray sting stingrays are found in the ocean is home to thousands of wonderful creatures and! In coastal tropical and subtropical marine waters, 14 in the ocean 's.., Southeast Asia, and how deep they go untreated for several hours ; 6 can it. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and can cause cuts or punctures were stung by bumping into the sting. The best way to treat a stingray sting stingrays are a flat-bodied fish.