Nice wound.
I hope this picture was a before shot ,and not after treatment. People can suffer major tissue loss when these wounds are not treated appropriately. Stingray barbs have little projections on them that point to the body of the ray and when the barb is pulled out they break off and remain in the wound, setting up sites for infection. And stingrays have some nasty bugs hitchhiking on their barbs. Staph, micobacter, and vibrio can lead to large areas of tissue loss if not treated promptly; with debridement of the wound and systemic anti-biotics. The venom contains, enzymes that breaks down tissue ,and also compounds that cause local vasoconstriction limiting the body's ability to get infection fighting cells to the area. It's the venom that causes the excruciating pain.If you don't have this pain, chances are that you haven't been envenomated. The venom is heat sensitive and if hot fresh water is available (hot as you can stand), the wound should be cleansed with it. But who has this on the beach? If hot water is not available, use regular fresh water. No sea water - you're just putting more of the same bugs in the wound. Also, I bet that every kiter is not up on his tetanus immunity. If you haven't gotten a tetanus booster in the last 5 years, time to get one. Tetanus is a rare infection, but carries a high mortality rate.Death is not conducive to kiteboarding. Also, let's dispel the rumor that pissing on stingray or jellyfish injuries is a good treatment. Pissing is only good for one thing on the beach - writing your name. Sounds like Chester did the appropriate thing by getting to the emergency room.
Just a little beach first aid reminder.
|