Something In The Water Stuck/stung Me

[deejah]

swimming in the sea out over my head

i felt a shock on my lower leg near my ankle, almost electric

when i got out of the water i saw that

i was stuck or stung and was bleeding a little

where i was stung looked like a small dark jab

it hurt a bit for a short while

my foot progressively over the next two days has been growing numb, like it is asleep all of the time

but there is not outward indication of being hurt

the thing in the water felt like a long twig or flexible stick with barbs

i thought it might be a jellyfish tentacle

makes sense but my research indicates numbness is not a jellyfish sting symptom

any ideas what stuck me?

mods please keep this in general for the most hits, thanks

[anothertorres]

you've waited this long, only to post on a message board for us to guess what in the heck stung you? have you thought about seeing a doctor?

anyway, here is a list of things that will hurt you:

jellyfish

electric eel

ladyboy

hypodermic needle

stingray

shark

a stick

red shirt protester

[smokie36]

you've waited this long, only to post on a message board for us to guess what in the heck stung you? have you thought about seeing a doctor?

anyway, here is a list of things that will hurt you:

jellyfish

electric eel

ladyboy

hypodermic needle

stingray

shark

a stick

red shirt protester

you missed out jetskis and army bullets both ust as nasty. OP I would have sold you a saw but the poison already entered your system by now...seriously go and visit a doctor!

It amazes me...if you had toothache would you ask us the best way to pull out a molar?

[PattayaParent]

Probably a sea anemone.

They're a black spiky thing and the spines contain a type of poison but not dangerous to humans.

You'll get over it in a while.

[Crossy]

I would visit your local hospital ASAP as symptoms have not reduced. Best to be safe, the cost should be minimal.

[up-country_sinclair]

It could have been practically anything.

Best to get it checked out by a professional.

[garyh]

Some forms of venom eat away the flesh, you should get it seen to NOW unless you don't need your foot.

[deejah]

Some forms of venom eat away the flesh, you should get it seen to NOW unless you don't need your foot.

for instance?

[deejah]

dr said if it was serious i would have a problem in the first 12 hours and told me to be patient

i would really like an idea of what it was and WHY MY FOOT IS GETTING NUMB

i am not too keen on hospitals or doctors

and there is nothing to see except what looks like a little bug bite

i will do some more research

[Crossy]

Some forms of venom eat away the flesh, you should get it seen to NOW unless you don't need your foot.

for instance?

The African Stiletto Snake for one (unlikely to have been one of those though).

[garyh]

Some forms of venom eat away the flesh, you should get it seen to NOW unless you don't need your foot.

for instance?

Rattle snake is one of them.

[anothertorres]

dr said if it was serious i would have a problem in the first 12 hours and told me to be patient

....

i will do some more research

i'm pretty sure you didn't go see a doctor. but, good luck with your further research. i'm sure you will find the answer you prefer on a website somewhere. trying whatbitme.com

[tw25rw]

Some forms of venom eat away the flesh, you should get it seen to NOW unless you don't need your foot.

for instance?

The African Stiletto Snake for one (unlikely to have been one of those though).

Brown recluse spider. But again, unlikely.

[t.s]

Probably a sea anemone.

They're a black spiky thing and the spines contain a type of poison but not dangerous to humans.

You'll get over it in a while.

anemones dont have spines. urchins do.

[tw25rw]

Cone shells cause numbness. Not sure how long you take to die though.

Edited May 19, 2010 by tw25rw

[lostpacket]

pics or it never happened

If it felt like a stick I doubt it was a jellyfish stinger.

As to your symptoms, if it were systemic it would move up your body from your foot. I think if it were me I would go back to the hospital. tell them a red shirt did it to you, you will be on the news and get prompt treatment.

Edited May 19, 2010 by lostpacket

[PattayaParent]

Probably a sea anemone.

They're a black spiky thing and the spines contain a type of poison but not dangerous to humans.

You'll get over it in a while.

anemones dont have spines. urchins do.

That'll be it.

I trod on one in the Red Sea one time and was sick for a few hours and had black holes in my foot where the spikes went in and a numb foot for a few weeks.

[solent01]

Some forms of venom eat away the flesh, you should get it seen to NOW unless you don't need your foot.

for instance?

The African Stiletto Snake for one (unlikely to have been one of those though).

Brown recluse spider. But again, unlikely.

Could have been, if it was scubba diving

[deejah]

reiterate

it all happened very fast and i also went into panic mode

it felt like a long thin flexible twig or stick with barbs on it and when i came into contact with it it felt like electricity (could have been emotional) and then pain

it was in the water not at the bottom on the ocean floor

only a bit painful for a short time

looked like a needle had pricked me entered from below pointing upwards and bled just a little

numbness slowly appeared one or two days later

i was bitten above the ankle but the numbness started in my toes and has been spreading slowly in my foot not at the point of contact

which still appears as a small and a bit itchy little bug bite

i have no idea what this was

i think organic animal, not man made

my first thought was jelly fish tentacle but again delayed numbness is not a typical symptom

very strange eh

still have no clear research results online about this

i am thinking i should get a tetanus booster

[Utterlyuseful]

I conclude based on your description that it was a jellyfish.

There are several different Thai species, but the “electric” shock is a classic symptom.

Also the nematocysts(microscopic needles on the j-fish tentacles) can continue to release venom for days after the event. The numbness could be the effect on the nerves of the venom.

Primary concerns are secondary infection, nerve damage, allergic reaction, heart failure(usually right after the attack and rare), long term scarring……all depends on severity of sting, individual reaction and post event injury management

I suggest googling some info, keep the area clean and visit a doctor if it gets worse…..

One cream available locally which helps for some sting is called “systral” (probably too late for vinegar to be effective now)but it depends on each case

You can also try to google info on the many jellyfish cases and fatalities in Thai waters, but these are sometimes hushed up for fear of scaring tourists….oh yes good luck!

reiterate

it all happened very fast and i also went into panic mode

it felt like a long thin flexible twig or stick with barbs on it and when i came into contact with it it felt like electricity (could have been emotional) and then pain

it was in the water not at the bottom on the ocean floor

only a bit painful for a short time

looked like a needle had pricked me entered from below pointing upwards and bled just a little

numbness slowly appeared one or two days later

i was bitten above the ankle but the numbness started in my toes and has been spreading slowly in my foot not at the point of contact

which still appears as a small and a bit itchy little bug bite

i have no idea what this was

i think organic animal, not man made

my first thought was jelly fish tentacle but again delayed numbness is not a typical symptom

very strange eh

still have no clear research results online about this

i am thinking i should get a tetanus booster

[angiud]

I agree, it should be a Jellyfish, go hospital for a check.

[t.s]

I agree, it should be a Jellyfish, go hospital for a check.

jellyfish don't cause bleeding

[deejah]

and nowhere have i come across numbing as an after effect

[PattayaParent]

There are box jellyfish in Thai waters.

[T_Dog]

deejah, my guess would be a black sea urchin as they are so common in SE Asia. I have seen them completely cover bays on some islands in Thailand. Very common and something to avoid. Not dangerous, but very painful just as you describe.

Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_urchin

[robblok]

What he is describing is a ray.

[bunta71]

What he is describing is a ray.

That is what it sounds like to me... the tail of a Sting Ray. 1966 with a 327

[sharking]

wasn't me

but hope your leg gets better

[yabaaaa]

Probably a sea anemone.

They're a black spiky thing and the spines contain a type of poison but not dangerous to humans.

You'll get over it in a while.

Shurely u is meaning an " Sea Urchin" officer hic!!!

[Pacificperson]

Some other possibilities:

1. Sea urchin not poisonous, but can break -off under the skin.

2. Sting ray, small ones can poke a hole.

3. Cone shells, can be very poisonous.

4. Stone fish or lion fish, can be poisonous.

5. Jelly fish, can sting some can be poisonous.

Plus, several other possibilities. Use the numbness as a guide. If it persists, go to a second doctor. It could be some sort of toxin.