Contenido:

LESIONS CAUSED BY ANIMALS

SEA ANIMALS

1. Sting lesions
   
   There are many fish that have hard prickles with poisonous glands. The most common, the spider crab, injects the poison through the prickles in the dorsal and pectoral fins.
   
   Usually, the lesions occur when handling fish on board the fishing boat, causing immediate and severe pain, which may radiate to the arm or leg. Other frequent symptoms include syncope, weakness, nausea or anxiety, sometimes with vomiting, diarrhoea or sweating.
   
   
   

   Picture 7-114: Sea crab.
   (Photo: José Luis Cristóbal).

   
   The wound is usually toothed, bleeds profusely and, in many cases, is contaminated. Generally, there is also some swelling.
   
   Treatment:
   
   
   • A tourniquet, cuts or suction should not be performed.
   • Irrigate the lesion with salted water.
   • Try to remove any leftovers prickles if visible.
   • Submerge the limb in hot water, at a temperature as high as can be tolerated by the patient (45º), for 30 to 60 minutes. Salt may be added to the hot water.
   • Keep the limb elevated for several days.
   • Analgesia for the pain.
   • If the patient has shock symptoms or the pain does not ease, refer to Chapter 2.1, SHOCK, and ask for MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .

   Sea urchin
   
   The quills may break inside the skin and cause tissue reactions. They must be removed to avoid further problems, and always if they affect joint or support areas.

   The quills must be removed as soon as possible (refer to FOREIGN BODIES).

   Vinegar dissolves most superficially stuck quills. Wet the area or cover with a pad soaked in it.
   

2. Contact lesions
   
   The most significant cause of this type of lesions is the jellyfish, which have a very well developed sting apparatus (nematocyst), which is able to enter the skin; they are abundant in the animal's tentacles.
   
   The condition caused is similar to an allergic reaction, and the severity varies according to the affected area, the sensitised individual and to Anterior contacts. Lesions range from a local reaction to a generalised shock (refer to Chapter 2.1, SHOCK).
   
   Usually, they are rashes with small vesicles in one or several discontinued lines, sometimes surrounded by redness and further appearance of small blisters; pain and itching is severe.
   
   Treatment:
   
   
   • Wash the affected areas with sea water (not sweet water), removing animal debris, with utmost care, protecting yourself with a glove or towel.
   • Pour alcohol (DRAWER 14, first aid kits A, B, and C) over the wounds, or sodium bicarbonate diluted in water.
   • Rub corticoid ointment (betamethason + gentamycin, DRAWER 10, first aid kit s A, B and C) locally.
   • If there is severe pain, give an oral analgesic.
   • If there is severe general shock, refer to Chapter 2.1 and ask for MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .
   
   
3. Bite lesions
   
   Especially relevant are those produced by a moray and a conger eel, due to the tearing the can occur, as well as those caused by octopus, shark, barracuda, etc.
   
   Treat, depending on the lesions caused, as we would the rest of the wounds (see WOUNDS). Due to the risk of infection, do not stitch. Do not forget to protect against tetanus (tetanus serum, DRAWER 8, first aid kits A and B). If the lesions are significant, ask for MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .

NON-SEA ANIMALS

In cases requiring assistance after a sting or bite, follow these INITIAL MEASURES:

• Assess the bite.
• Remove tight elements or clothes.
• Immobilise the limb.
• Clean with water and soap, and dress the bite as any other wound, without suturing (refer to WOUNDS).
• Limb cooling (refer to, for example, Chapter 7.5, JOINT LESIONS).
• Tetanus immunisation, as mentioned in WOUNDS.
• Analgesia and sedation, as by MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .