Cutaneous injuries from marine animals

Lim YL, Kumarasinghe SPW
Correspondence: Dr Lim Yen Loo, yllim@nsc.gov.sg

ABSTRACT
Cutaneous injuries by marine animals have a myriad of clinical presentations. Most require only symptomatic treatment, but some may be limb-threatening or even fatal. This is a report of three cases of marine animal injuries by a stingray, a sea anemone and a jellyfish, respectively, illustrating the potential severity of such injuries. The importance of early diagnosis is emphasised, with a discussion on the management of injuries from these three types of marine animals.

Keywords: cutaneous injuries, jellyfish venom, marine toxins, sea anemones, marine toxins
Singapore Med J 2007; 48(1): e25–e28