First Aid for SCORPIONFISH WOUNDS

Pain relief is a high priority in scorpionfish stings. To ease pain, soak the wound in nonscalding hot water for 30 to 90 minutes. (Victims in pain may not be able to tell if water is too hot. Someone else should test the water temperature on his or her own hand first.) Heat inactivates at least one of the toxins in the venom, and thus relieves some of the pain. If pain returns an hour or more later, try the heat soaks again.
 

While soaking, remove any protruding pieces of the spine or skin from the puncture. Do not apply a tourniquet, ice, or pressure bandage. To clean the wound, gently pull the edges of the skin and scrub with clean gauze or a cloth soaked in clean, fresh water. For more details on wound care, see Staph, Strep and General Wound Care. Victims of infected scorpionfish stings should see a doctor. If a victim shows any signs of a serious reaction (listed in Signs and Symptoms above) to a scorpionfish puncture, consider it a medical emergency.