Envenomation Story: Surviving a Poisonous Fish Sting in Mauritius

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In summary: Make sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to anything before travelling to a new location.In summary, the person was fishing with cousins when they were stung by a poisonous fish, and the pain was unbearable. They had a surgery to remove the stinger, and the pain went away immediately.
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geoffrey159
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I spent my holidays in Mauritius island (indian ocean) and was fishing with cousins living here when I got stung several times by a poisonous fish in the foot. I felt a fast growing pain, was sweating and feeling dizzy, and by the time I reached my cousins on the beach, I started to have unbearable cramps in my foot and leg.

What happened next is a little foggy in my mind. I was absolutely conscious but so focused on pain that I skipped a lot of what happened.

They told me that they boiled water in secret and poured it on the stings. They said I did not even notice the burn and that I thought it was just warm water. It eased the pain 30 seconds.
A few minutes later the color of my foot grew purple/black. They grew really worry and rushed me to the hospital. The doctors injected me something in the hand that made the veins in my foot swell a lot, I don't know what it was but if you know tell me please.

They then made me wait in a treatment room, but could not stay in place on the bed, it was atrocious. They prepared me for perfusion but by the time the nurse came back I had torn off everything, don't ask me why I don't know. The injected painkillers were completely ineffective, it put me to sleep 1 minute. My cousins told me I started shaking from head to toes, but I never noticed that.

Then I remember I had a quick surgery, they did not bother giving me anesthesia and I did not feel anything beside a gentle tickling. I remember literally begging the surgeon to let me move my leg, but after that, it was immediate relief. Surgery was the only thing that relieved the pain. It remained painful all night, but manageable. The next morning I was fine, but my feet had tripled volume, and had a load of medicines to take for a week.

So be careful where you walk on the beach, in particular in tropical countries, wear shoes.
 
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Oh I know the culprit, it was a masouran (or plotosus lineatus), which is a sort of small catfish. It is cute and peaceful, but its sting is very painful
 
  • #4
What are your stories/experiences with venomous creatures ?
 
  • #5
geoffrey159 said:
What are your stories/experiences with venomous creatures ?

I'm afraid the worst I've ever encountered are wasps. I was stung through my shirt once. I immediately conceded defeat and ran away in shame, leaving the wasp to revel in its victory.
 
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  • #6
Drakkith said:
I'm afraid the worst I've ever encountered are wasps. I was stung through my shirt once. I immediately conceded defeat and ran away in shame, leaving the wasp to revel in its victory.

Hehehe that's funny lol.
But more seriously, wasps can be deadly to allergic people.
 

1. What is envenomation?

Envenomation is the process of being poisoned by a venomous animal or plant. This can occur through a bite, sting, or contact with the venomous substance.

2. What is a poisonous fish sting?

A poisonous fish sting is when a person comes into contact with a venomous fish, resulting in the injection of venom into their body. This can happen through touching or stepping on the fish, or being stung by one of its spines.

3. How do you treat a poisonous fish sting?

If you have been stung by a poisonous fish, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. The wound should be cleaned thoroughly and any remaining spines or venom should be removed. Treatment may also involve pain management and the use of antivenom.

4. What are the symptoms of a poisonous fish sting?

The symptoms of a poisonous fish sting can vary depending on the type of fish and the amount of venom injected. Common symptoms include severe pain, swelling, redness, and difficulty breathing. In some cases, the venom can also cause nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness.

5. How can you prevent a poisonous fish sting?

To prevent a poisonous fish sting, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and avoid contact with known venomous fish. When swimming or diving in areas where venomous fish may be present, it is also recommended to wear protective gear such as water shoes and a wetsuit. In case of accidental contact, it is best to seek immediate medical attention and follow proper first aid procedures.

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