Stingray Attacks Cause Intense Pain
My Encounter with a Mexican Stingray
In a normal situation, I would have been heavily medicating myself with Percoset and other hard-core painkillers to treat the two-inch wide, sword-like laceration on the bottom of my foot. But unfortantely I was on a NOLS trip, and NoLS had a strict anti-med policy for their students. After one or two Tylenols, I was told to sweat it out. Pretty hard, especially when my NOLS instructor talked non-stop about how he treated his own stingray incident with a half-pound of Hashish off Vietnam.
When I relay this story to my friends, they all ask: "Did you pee on your wound to stop the pain?" Well, maybe it was my young age, or the fact that I hadn't yet seen the infamous jellyfish episode on Friends, but I didn't even try it. Rather, I rallied my friends to help me heat a gallon of sea water and soaked my foot for 36 hours straight. When the temperature got too cold, the pain was awful; too hot, and I risked burning my skin.
Since this run-in, I have accumulated a lot of facts about stingrays, including:
- The Sting in stingray is produced by the serrated spines of their tails. These spines contain venom.
- I was lucky - even though I was in excruciating pain, I didn't have an adverse reaction to the venom. Some stings result in infection and require antibiotics.
- Applying a citric acid such as grapefruit or orange juice will hrt like heck, but will help clean a sting wound.
- Applying vinegar can help neutralize stingray venom.
- If you're in sting-ray country, shuffling your feet while walking can help scare away stingrays. They're not aggressive by nature they only sting when provoked (like, when I stepped on one).
Published by KJ Ames
KJ lives in Denver and has two young children. She enjoys rafting, hiking, tele and XC skiing, reading, and world music. KJ is a Dartmouth grad and earned a Masters Degree from CU Boulder. She loves... View profile
- Tramadol for Pain Relief is Available at Many Online PharmaciesTramadol is growing in popularity due to the fact that it is a non-narcotic drug, and has very minimal side effects. It is also very effective in treating moderate to severe pain.
Suffering from Back Pain?Those suffering from back pain can successfully manage that pain and avoid further injury. People can manage their back pain without surgery or the use of prescription pain kill...- Arthritis Pain and Exercise ProgramsMillions of people suffer from the joint pain and stiffness of arthrits. This article relates how a proper exercise program can help those afflicted with this disease.
- How T.E.N.S Can Provide Pain Relief Without Pain-Relieving DrugsPlagued by chronic pain? There is hope without feeling doped! T.E.N.S., or transcutaneous electro-nerve stimulations work without pain medication.
- Back Pain? Check Your Feet!Did you know a misalignment of your body no matter how small, can wreak havoc from your head to your toes? Controlling your feet may just end nagging back pain!
- Understanding the Two Main Types of Animal Venom
- Understanding and Dealing with the Pain of Arthritis
- Stop Fighting it and Learn to Live with Chronic Pain
- Migraine Pain? A Look at a New Treatment - RELPAX
- Living With a Severe Insect Sting Allergy
- Ergonomic Sewing: Chairs, Machines, Tables and More for Pain-Free Sewing
- Reduce Back Pain Easily