Stonefish

Definition

Poisoning from a sting from a stonefish.

Poisonous Ingredient

• stonefish venom
  

Where Found

• stonefish
  
• related species
  

Symptoms

• body as a whole
  o fever as a result of infection
  o muscle twitching
  o bleeding
  o severe pain radiating from the site of the sting
  
• respiratory
  o difficulty breathing
  
• heart and blood vessels
  o low or High blood pressure
  o slow or rapid heart rate
  
• skin
  o whitened color of the area around the site of the sting
  o color of the area changes as the amount of oxygen supplying the area decreases.
  
• gastrointestinal
  o nausea
  o Vomiting
  o Abdominal pain
  
• nervous system
  o headache
  o delirium
  o fainting
  o seizures
  o paralysis
  

Home Treatment
Wash the area with fresh water. Remove any foreign material at the wound site. Contact an emergency room. Soak wound in the hottest water the patient can tolerate for 30-90 minutes, if instructed to do so.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• name of the marine animal
  
• the time of the sting
  
• the area on the body of the sting
  

Poison Control, or a local emergency number
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital, and any appropriate first aid that can be administered prior to arrival.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Wash the area.