Stingray injury management includes immersion in hot water.

Stingray injury management includes immersion in hot water.

• A. Immersion in hot water
• B. Cold ice pack only
• C. Massage the wound
• D. Apply alcohol to wound

Answer: (A)

Stingray venom contains proteins that are inactivated by heat, so soaking the injured area in hot water provides pain relief by denaturing the toxins. The recommended first aid is immersion in hot water at about 42–45°C (as hot as you can tolerate without burning) for 30 to 90 minutes. After immersion, clean the wound and remove any visible spines if easy to do, then monitor for worsening pain, swelling, or signs of infection. Cold packs don’t relieve the venom the same way and can worsen pain through vasoconstriction. Massaging the wound can spread injury and tissue damage, and applying alcohol to the wound irritates tissue and doesn’t neutralize the venom.

Stingray venom contains proteins that are inactivated by heat, so soaking the injured area in hot water provides pain relief by denaturing the toxins. The recommended first aid is immersion in hot water at about 42–45°C (as hot as you can tolerate without burning) for 30 to 90 minutes. After immersion, clean the wound and remove any visible spines if easy to do, then monitor for worsening pain, swelling, or signs of infection.

Cold packs don’t relieve the venom the same way and can worsen pain through vasoconstriction. Massaging the wound can spread injury and tissue damage, and applying alcohol to the wound irritates tissue and doesn’t neutralize the venom.