Stinging fish
Australia has numerous stinging fish distributed throughout its waters. Many of these fish are found in tropical areas, but others are present in temperate waters or throughout Australia.
The major clinical feature of these fish stings is immediate severe pain which may be prolonged and difficult to manage even with narcotic analgesia. The pain will usually subside within 24 hours, but swelling may persist for several days. First aid consists of immersion of the affected area (almost always a hand or foot) in hot water. This is thought to inactivate the venom and to improve local blood flow thus dispersing the venom. Infiltration of the wound with local anaesthetic agents provides dramatic relief in most cases, although occasionally a regional nerve block may be required. Tetanus prophylaxis should be updated if required, and the wound should be examined for signs of infection or retained foreign material in the form of broken spines. Xrays should be performed if possible.
Common Australian stinging fish include:
