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First Aid & Emergencies

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Marine Stings and Scrapes - Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three


	Yes

Are you having a serious reaction to a jellyfish or Portuguese man-of-war sting?


	Yes

Have you been stung in the eye?


	Yes

Do you think you have a skin infection at the site of the sting or coral scrape?


	Yes

Have you developed an itchy rash or deep sores after a jellyfish or Portuguese man-of-war sting or after swimming in the ocean with jellyfish?


	Yes

Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot after getting a scrape or sting?


	Yes

Do you have mild difficulty breathing or wheezing that is getting worse?


	Yes

Do you have severe pain?


	Yes

Are you having trouble walking or standing?


	Yes

Do you feel weak all over?


	Yes

Do you feel very sleepy or are you having a hard time staying awake?


	Yes

Do you have a fever of or higher?


	Yes

Do you think that you have a high fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?


	Yes

Have you had sudden swelling that is rapidly increasing at the site of the sting or anywhere else, such as swelling across 2 large joints?


	Yes

Have you vomited 3 or more times within 1 hour of being stung?


	Yes

Do you have a fever?


	Yes

Do you have moderate pain?


	Yes

Have you had vomited 3 or more times in 24 hours, but you are still able to keep down some fluids or food?


	Yes

Have you had vomiting that comes and goes for longer than 48 hours and is getting worse?


	Yes

Have you had mild pain for 48 hours or longer?


	Yes

Have you had muscle spasms, muscle cramps, joint pain, or aching all over for 48 hours or longer?


	Yes

Have you had symptoms of mild dehydration for 48 hours or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have any eye symptoms that have lasted for more than 30 minutes after being stung in the eye?


	Yes

Have you been stung in the eye, but you do not have symptoms of blurred vision or eye pain?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have diabetes?


	Yes

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?


	Yes

Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?


	Yes

Do you have red streaks extending from the site of the sting or scrape?


	Yes

Do you have increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the site of the sting or scrape?


	Yes

Is the area around your wound increasingly tender to the touch?


	Yes

Do you have pus in or around the site of the sting or scrape?


	Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?


	Yes

Have you had mild pain and swelling with redness less than around the site of the sting or scrape for 48 hours or longer?


	Yes

Have you had swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin for 1 week or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have severe itching?


	Yes

Have you had mild to moderate itching for 48 hours or longer?


	Yes

Have you had a rash or deep sores from a sting for 1 week or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Are you worried that the scrape or sting area has gotten dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?Note: Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it.


	Yes

Are you not sure when you had your last tetanus shot?


	Yes

Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: June 10, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.