Aquatic antagonists: stingray injury update

Stingrays cause more sting-related injuries than any other fish. Their venom and mechanism of injury lead to painful, poor-healing wounds that often become infected. Stingray injuries are further complicated by retained barbs and foreign bodies, which also may lead to considerable morbidity. Most stingray injuries can be treated with hot water immersion, wound debridement, and prophylactic antibiotics, while some may require more extensive treatment and surgical intervention at a tertiary care center. Educating patients about avoidance strategies, such as wading through water with a shuffling gait and wearing protective leg guards, may help decrease stingray injuries.