Coastal towns are one of the preferred settings to spend a few days on vacation and enjoy the sea, the beaches, the sun and water or outdoor activities, but sometimes we can get scared due to many precautions we have taken. This is what happens with the spiderfish bite, which in addition to being very painful, can have serious consequences, and even be lethal, as happened in August 2020 when a 16-year-old boy died in Platja d’Aro (Gerona). ) after being stung by a specimen of this species.
We explain the characteristics of this fish, why it is not uncommon to be stung, what symptoms – apart from pain – you may experience and what first aid should be administered in such a case to reduce discomfort and avoid possible complications.
Table of Contents
- What is the spider fish like and where is it found?
- Spiderfish bite symptoms
- What should you do if you are bitten by a spider fish?
1 . What is the spider fish like and where is it found?
Trachinus araneus –scientific name for spider fish– is brown, greenish-brown or grey, with some black spots. These hues and a thin, elongated body make it easy for it to partially bury itself in sandy or muddy bottoms where it hides to lie in wait for its prey, which are usually small fish and other marine organisms. Its size varies, but adult specimens generally measure between 15 and 30 centimeters in length, although, as experts from the University of Granada indicate, they can reach 45 centimeters.
“Spiderfish live in regions bathed by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is found near the coast, in sandy and muddy areas less than 100 meters deep. It usually remains half buried in the sand, making it difficult to see. Contact can be caused by a spiderfish bite, but it is more common by touching, brushing or stepping on it casually”, explains Dr. Mikel Urroz Elizalde, Physician of the Clinical Pharmacology Service, Clinical Toxicology Unit. La Paz University Hospital, Madrid
“The venom-producing glands are found in relation to the spines of the first dorsal fin and the stinger of the operculum. The penetration of the thorns or the sting into the victim produces the inoculation of the toxin,” continues the expert, who adds that “this toxin is a polypeptide sensitive to trypsin and heat.”
2 . Spiderfish bite symptoms
Spiderfish toxins are their defense mechanism against predators, and in the case of humans they can cause injuries to sport fishermen or cooks who handle them, but also to people who accidentally run into one while snorkeling or scuba diving, bathe, or take a walk on the beach.
“In addition to the characteristic pain in the area of the skin where the wound has occurred after the sting or the penetration of the thorns,” says Dr. Urroz Elizalde, the following may appear:
- Pruritus (itching).
- Vasoconstriction.
- Progressive perilesional edema (swelling).
- Paleness at the bite site.
- Distal cyanosis (blue discoloration of the skin).
- The venom also causes an inflammatory reaction with subsequent edema at the wound site.
This can be accompanied by other acute general symptoms, among which are:
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- vomiting
- hypotension
- sweating.
- Muscle cramps.
“The severity will depend on the amount of poison to which they have been exposed and if the poison has come into contact with the blood vessels and, therefore, with the blood circulation,” says the toxicology expert at Hospital La Paz, adding that, if the poison passes into the circulation, poisoning can cause:
- Alterations in heart rhythm.
- respiratory distress.
- muscle paralysis.
- Shock or cardiorespiratory arrest.
“The exceptional cases of death reported have been associated with the unfortunate circumstance of penetration of the poisonous toxin directly into the blood vessels.”
3 . What should you do if you are bitten by a spider fish?
“Usually the poison remains localized in the contact area, producing local symptoms,” says Dr. Urroz Elizalde, who indicates that “hot cloths should be applied or the affected part should be immersed in hot water (at 39°C– 45°C, or the highest temperature the patient can tolerate) for 20–90 minutes. Since the venom is sensitive to heat, pain relief occurs. The tourniquet and the incision and suction of the wound in order to extract the poison are contraindicated”.
If you are bitten by a spiderfish, it is important to take appropriate steps to treat the bite and reduce discomfort as much as possible until you receive attention from a healthcare professional. The main recommended steps are:
- Washing of the wound and extraction of the fragments of thorns that are visible using disinfected tweezers and making sure not to break the fragments or worsen the wound. The toilet Miguel Assal, explains in a TikTok video how to do it, and insists that we do not rub the wound, or try to extract the spikes as if it were a pimple.
- Immersion in hot water. Immerse the affected area in hot water because the heat helps to neutralize the toxins of the poison and reduce the sensation of pain.
- Seeking medical attention. Dr. Urroz Elizalde points out that “medical assessment is recommended in all cases. The wound must be cleaned and the remains of the fish or the bones removed, if applicable, always by health personnel. The wound will not be sutured. Although there is no antidote against spiderfish venom, the doctor who assesses the patient can indicate different treatments depending on the specific case of the clinical manifestations that the patient presents. In immunocompromised patients or in those with risk lesions, the use of antibiotics, parenterally or orally, would be indicated. As in any wound, a memory of the tetanus vaccine will be administered.
