Person Stung by Stingray on Fort Morgan 

FORT MORGAN Ala.
October 16, 2024

By: Rick McCann

It’s not uncommon to see Stingrays in the waters around Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
In fact, each year, several people report being stung by Stingrays in our area
and yes, they really do hurt.

On Tuesday, the Fort Morgan fire department responded to one such call on Our Road just off from State Highway 180 after the man began having an allergic reaction from the sting.

The patient was treated by firefighters but decided to drive himself to the South Baldwin hospital.

A person stung by a Stingray may experience serious pain, dizziness, labored breathing, and
may have an immediate allergic reaction.

Other symptoms of a stingray sting include:

Severe pain that spreads quickly

Weakness, nausea, and anxiety

Vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating

Respiratory distress

Fainting

Irregular heartbeat

Muscle paralysis

Seizures

Seek medical help right away. Some stingray stings can be serious and require professional care. For superficial stings to an arm or leg, while waiting for medical help, you can provide initial treatment to help alleviate pain and prevent infection: Immediately get out of the water and into a safe environment.

Stingray Injury Treatment:

Bathe The Wound in Seawater and Remove Pieces.

Stop Bleeding.

Soak The Wound in Hot Water For Pain Relief.

Scrub Wound.

Go to a Hospital Emergency Room.

Follow Up.

The amount of venom injected, the sting’s location, and how quickly treatment is received can all affect the outcome.

In rare cases, when a stingray’s barb can puncture a major organ, like the heart, lung, or bowel, which can be fatal. For example, Australian wildlife expert Steve Irwin died from cardiac arrest after being stung in the chest by a stingray. 

Copyright 2024 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.