Something in the ocean bit me!

[suayjintanakarn]

Went for family vacation over mothers day weekend to Khanom Beach, Nakhon Si Thammarat and went swimming. Was fine swimming all weekend but yesterday something in the water bit me on the ankle. It left a small, fully round bite from thin sharp teeth and yes it broke skin. Thai staff at the hotel cleaned me up right away with alcohol and some iodine. I'm not really having a reaction or anything (no itching, burning, not in pain) but my leg feels a little stiff today.

My Thai family didn't act like it was anything to worry about although no-one could say what it was and so we didn't go to the doctor or anything about it. Now back at school and co-workers are telling me to definitely go get it checked...

I was already on some antibiotics because of a sore throat so I don't know if that would help me or hide any reaction from a bite.

Wondering if anyone has any idea what it could have been. Is there a special doctor I should see about something like this? I don't want to be paying loads of hospital bills for tests. (I'm in Bangkok) It's a round circle bite, small sharp flat teeth marks around.

Thanks in advance for any reply.

[canuckamuck]

If it isn't a problem by now I wouldn't be to concerned.

[Jingthing]

If it isn't a problem by now I wouldn't be to concerned.

That would be my guess too. Especially if the wound is healing and showing no signs of infection.

[lopburi3]

Two posts removed - perhaps best to treat serious issues as such.

[quiuvo]

When I go to Phuket and get in the water I feel itchy all over but nothing like your bite. If it is not numb anymore let it be I guess.

[Aquanaut]

Although you don't mention the size of the bite, it's quite likely to have been a sea krait. They can control the amount of venom released, I guess according to their perceived threat level. In something like 70% of cases, they don't release any venom whatsoever; only making exploratory 'nips.' By the sounds of it, with only minor numbness, you received a low level dose and any toxins have now passed through. As others have said, at this stage, more than likely nothing to worry about. But if you're still feeling any discomfort, get it checked out. However, be prepared to pay substantial fees for tests and many doctors who won't admit to their lack of specialist knowledge, and results which will most likely prove negative. This has been my experience with a rather rare infection (mycobacterium marinum).

Only 10% of the remaining 30% that are aware of being bitten, suffering mild numbness to excrutiating pain, die from krait bites. If you had a severe bite, believe me, again I speak from experience, that you would already know about it!

[zaZa9]

I suggest it may be a Trigger Fish bite.

Google that if this link gets moded out -

https://www.google.com/search?q=Trigger+fish+bite&rlz=1C1AFAB_enTH441TH441&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=MwEKUrWMAYyTiQfj9YGoCg&ved=0CDcQsAQ&biw=1336&bih=626

If its a clean teeth marked bite I wouldnt worry.

Just use an antiseptic cream in case of a bacterial problem...

[impulse]

If you're already in BKK, check out post #22 here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/644799-can-i-get-some-help-identifying-a-snake/

Best I can tell, it's off RAMA 4 right near Lumpini Park.

[gerryBScot]

I would strongly suggest you visit a doctor as your co-workers have suggested. I had some small cuts on my feet in March which I treated at the time with alcohol and betadine; a week later I thought it was all ok as there were no more cuts and another week later I was in hospital as an inpatient with cellulitis. And it got a lot worse before it got better, in fact it has been quite an ordeal, four surgical procedures, a skin graft (unsuccessful) ....... and I am only really now, 4.5 months later, starting to feel I am on the road to recovery. I fancy a course of antibiotics could have solved the problem at the very beginning. If I was you I'd be asking my doctor for some antibiotics. I doubt the meds you are taking for your current infection will be adequate.

[jeff2258]

is the cost of consulting a doctor and the medical bill more important or your leg? Think about it and act fast.

[jrtmedic]

What did or did not bite you is a matter of pure conjecture !

I you are suffering pain, swelling or discolouration of the skin then seek urgent medical advise .

If not then do not worry.

[marell]

I would see a doctor. It may be nothing but it's worth a few Baht to confirm you're okay.

[sunshine51]

To be safe...go and see the doctor. If you feel normal as of this moment then it's your call.

If it were me with the bite...I'd still see the doc...juat to be safe. Had a sea snale bitten you

and had you been envenomated...you'd either be very sick...or dead by now.

[jrtmedic]

sunshine51

Obviously a moot point as the OP appears to be alive and well !

[HarrySeaman]

As a long time scuba diver I know that everthing in the sea scratches, cuts, or bites.

If you aren't comfortable with that, then don't go in the water.

If you are worried about a scrape, cut, or bite go see a doctor.

Shesh, what a drama queen.

[Suradit69]

As a long time scuba diver I know that everthing in the sea scratches, cuts, or bites.

If you aren't comfortable with that, then don't go in the water.

If you are worried about a scrape, cut, or bite go see a doctor.

Shesh, what a drama queen.

Have to admit Thai Visa forums would be the last place I'd go to get specific medical (or legal or real estate or ...) advice. It's on a par with randomly selecting people on the street and asking them what they think I should do about this suppurating sore on my what's-it. [ That was a hypothetical example ... I don't personally have a suppurating sore anywhere, least of all on my what's-it]. Although most people approached on the street would probably have the good sense to put some distance between themselves and a stranger's what's-it as quickly as possible.

[jrtmedic]

HarrySeaman

As a long time scuba diver I am sure you will be aware of the risks associated with "coral cuts"

In case you are not here is the low down !

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2590478/

[Stjohnm]

Consultation fees aren't that much out here see a Dr even the private Hospitals only charge around the ฿800 mark

[barefoot1988]

been more than 48 hours, no pain, no swelling, no pus, no itchiness no nothing . . you are fine

[Wat dee]

Few weeks ago watched a documentary about your biter. It is eel like little fish and it is not venomous.

Cant remember its name, but idea was something like it sucks blood.Most of its regular prey is fish. So it is basicly harmless (if it bites just your leg!!)

[Sheryl]

There is no way to know for sure what bit you.

Regardless, the points of concern would be:

1) Envenomation - if the biter were for example a sea snake. Symptoms would have been apparent well before now so either no or minimal venom delivered by the bite.

2) Infection - unlike the above, can occur from any bite and can have a late onset. But as long as there is no sign of it, no need to worry. Signs would be redness around the bite area with or without swelling, and sensitive/painful to the touch. If these are noted, see a doctor promptly. Otherwise I think you are fine.

[mrwebb8825]

Why don't you take a few photos and send them/take them to a Marine Biologist? I'm pretty certain they would be able to identify the bite for you. Take their information/advice and either forget about it or have it treated properly being armed with the correct information. jmho

[suayjintanakarn]

Thank you kindly for your replies.

A very kind doctor told me since its past 24 hours and with no reaction so there couldn't have been poison and there are currently no signs of infection, so I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing with Alcohol and Betadine/keep it covered and if there are any changes in condition come back. The 800 baht bill was worth my peace of mind. I won't hesitate if something like this happens again.

I'm not familiar with the sea life here and haven't previously lived in a tropical environment so really I didn't know what I might be dealing with. Better safe and to ask questions than be sorry, right?

[suayjintanakarn]

I suggest it may be a Trigger Fish bite.

Google that if this link gets moded out -

https://www.google.com/search?q=Trigger+fish+bite&rlz=1C1AFAB_enTH441TH441&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=MwEKUrWMAYyTiQfj9YGoCg&ved=0CDcQsAQ&biw=1336&bih=626

If its a clean teeth marked bite I wouldnt worry.

Just use an antiseptic cream in case of a bacterial problem...

Actually it looks a bit similar to these images. It's not a large bite, about an inch and a half to two inches across. A circle of flat teeth marks in my achilles tendon area by the ankle.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that it must have been this fish, but it's the best example I've come across so far on google!

[lopburi3]

Several posts removed.

[gerryBScot]

Glad you've been to the doctor. If you develop a fever or run a high temperature over the next few days, go back to see your doctor as a matter of urgency. Keep well!

[FBN]

Probably trigger fish; they are very aggressive and protective of their nesting areas and will attack any intruder irrespective of size; ask most scuba divers in these waters!

Any bite inflicted in sea water needs to be monitored closely as they easily become infected.

Salt water snakes are rear fanged and have extremely small mouths and only really able to bite on fingers; most of these recorded in the Philippines in locals who catch them to sell.

[jackinbkk]

Could it have been be a juvenile blacktip shark?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp4i3CjGTiQ

[mickjn]

Do it the Thai way rub a bit of Tiger Balm on it I bet that works.