Cutaneous injuries from marine animals

Area of Science:

• Marine toxicology
• Dermatology
• Emergency medicine

Background:

• Marine animal encounters can result in diverse cutaneous injuries.
• While often minor, some injuries pose significant risks, including limb-threatening complications or fatality.
• Stingrays, sea anemones, and jellyfish are common marine culprits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report three cases of marine animal injuries.
• To illustrate the potential severity of injuries from stingrays, sea anemones, and jellyfish.
• To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and discuss management strategies.

Main Methods:

• Case report series.
• Clinical presentation review.
• Management strategy discussion.

Main Results:

• Three distinct cases of marine animal cutaneous injuries were presented: stingray, sea anemone, and jellyfish.
• The cases highlight the varied and potentially severe clinical outcomes of marine envenomations.
• Effective management relies on timely diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic interventions.

Conclusions:

• Cutaneous injuries from marine animals necessitate careful evaluation due to their potential severity.
• Early and accurate diagnosis is paramount for effective management of stingray, sea anemone, and jellyfish injuries.
• Prompt medical intervention can mitigate serious complications and improve patient outcomes.