Marine Animal Sting OR Bite

A sting or bite from any form of marine life, especially salt-water dwellers, may cause this injury.

Any person who is swimming or wading in salt water has a chance of getting a bite or sting from a marine animal.

What are the causes and risks of the injury?

Injury can be caused by bites or stings from many types of marine life, including a:

What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?

The most common signs and symptoms of a marine animal sting or bite are:

Less common symptoms that may occur include:

How is the injury recognized?

Sudden pain is usually the first sign of a marine animal bite or sting. A swimmer may notice a jellyfish floating nearby, or feel a stingray or sea urchin beneath the foot.

What can be done to prevent the injury?

There are many ways to prevent getting a marine animal sting or bite. A person should:

It is safest to swim at patrolled beaches. If an injury does occur despite precautions, a lifeguard or ranger will be able to help.

What are the treatments for the injury?

Treatment varies depending on what caused the injury.

Jellyfish, hydroids, man of war, and anemones have tentacles that stick to the skin. These should be removed. If possible, alcohol or vinegar should first be poured over the tentacles to inactivate the stinging cells, or nematocysts. Once inactivated, the tentacles should be gently lifted from the skin. The sting site should then be washed with soap and water. Afterward, a hydrocortisone cream may be applied to the skin.

The venom of scorpion fish, lionfish, stonefish, catfish, stingrays, and sea urchins produce severe pain at the bite site. Because the venom is a protein that is broken down quickly by heat, the wound area should be immersed in water as hot as can be tolerated. The area should be left in the hot water for 60 to 90 minutes. Pieces of spines or fins are often left broken inside the skin during the sting. The person should remove these with a gloved hand. If they are unable to remove them, they should have a healthcare professional remove them with an instrument. The wound should be cleansed well with soap and water, and an antibiotic ointment applied.

Sharks, moray eels, and barracudas can injure the skin with their teeth. These animals do not have venom or poison. The wound should be cleansed with soap and water, and may need sutures, or stitches.

A person should seek medical care after a marine bite or sting. The wound needs to be examined to be sure that it is free of debris. A person may be given:

Pain can usually be controlled with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Sometimes stronger pain medication is required.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

A tetanus shot may cause tenderness at the injection site.

Antibiotics may cause:

Pain relievers may cause stomach upset.

What happens after treatment for the injury?

The injured person may feel pain for many hours after the sting or bite.

The wound should be watched closely for signs of infection. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, drainage at the site, and a fever. These signs should be reported to a healthcare provider.

Usually there are no long-term effects after a marine bite or sting. Occasionally a marine bite can cause death, especially with a Portuguese man of war bite.

Author:Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Written:
Editor:Evans, Gwen, BA
Edit Date:09/26/00
Reviewer:Vincent J. Toups, MD
Date Reviewed:03/12/01

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