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Theme: Re: fire coral...OUCH!!
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Date: 10/03/00
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Author: Larry \ Harris\ Taylor, Ph.D.
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Nicolle Vincent news:kSWx4.275$Hm3.50304@sapphire.mtt.net... > I was wondering if anyone knows how to treat a fire coral sting. I came in > contact with some while diving in Cuba and it seems to be getting worse. > It's very sore and rash like. Does anyone have experience with this? I'd > really appreciate any help. One of the problems associated with fire corals or jellyfish stings is that the wound is often filled with tissue from the critter involved. This tissue often contains unfired nematocysts (stinging cells ...small hypodermic like devices filled with venom). SO, one of the first things to do is to inactivate these to prevent continued injury. Best thing to put on wound is vinegar. It has been repeatedly demonstrated to inactivate the unfired nematocysts. Avoid fresh water or alcohol (some texts still say to use alcohol or "meyhlylated spirits (another name for alcohol)), but it was demonstrated by Edmonds (in Australia) that alcohol solutions trigger the firing of nematocysts. Another thing to avoid is meat tenderizer or pineapple juice(contains digestive enzyme, papain). The theory was that the venoms contain protein based neurotoxins ... and papain "digests" or chews up proteins ...by chewing up the neurotoxin, the symptoms are relieved. The problem (in terms of molecular intelligence) is that papain is not terribly smart and cannot differentiate neurotoxin from all other proteins in the body ... so, pouring a digestive enzyme into a wound may chew up some neurotoxin, but it will also chew on every other protein it can find. Brain coral slime has been reported to work ...but brain coral "slime" is a protective layer for the coral and removing it may damage the coral. One the nematocysts have been inactivated, if visible, they can be removed by scraping and the wound. But, it is always a good idea to see a physician, particularly when pain is persistent. "Harris" Larry "Harris" Taylor, Ph.DO. Scuba Instructor, UP of MI |
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