How are bites from sea fleas treated? - briefly
Clean the affected area with soap and water, apply cold compresses, and use over‑the‑counter antihistamines or topical corticosteroids to relieve itching and inflammation; if a severe reaction occurs, seek medical attention for possible prescription therapy.
How are bites from sea fleas treated? - in detail
Sea‑flea (also called sand‑flea) stings deliver a painful, inflammatory reaction caused by venomous spines. Immediate care focuses on removing embedded spines, reducing pain, and preventing infection.
First‑aid measures
- Rinse the affected area with seawater; avoid fresh water, which can trigger additional nematocyst discharge.
- Use fine‑toothed tweezers or a sterile needle to extract visible spines.
- Apply a cold pack or immerse the site in cool seawater for 10–15 minutes to lessen swelling and discomfort.
- Administer a topical anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine 2–4 %) if pain persists.
Pharmacologic treatment
- Oral non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen 400 mg every 6 h) control inflammation and analgesia.
- Antihistamines (cetirizine 10 mg once daily) reduce itching and histamine‑mediated swelling.
- For extensive reactions, a short course of systemic corticosteroids (prednisone 30–40 mg daily for 3–5 days) may be prescribed.
Wound management
- Clean the lesion with mild antiseptic solution (chlorhexidine 0.05 %).
- Cover with a sterile non‑adhesive dressing; change daily or when soiled.
- Monitor for signs of secondary infection (increased redness, purulent discharge, fever) and initiate oral antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin‑clavulanate 875/125 mg twice daily) if indicated.
Follow‑up
- Re‑evaluate after 48 hours; ensure pain and inflammation are diminishing.
- Advise patients to avoid re‑exposure in the same habitat until symptoms resolve.
- Document any allergic or systemic responses for future reference.
These steps constitute a comprehensive protocol for managing sea‑flea envenomation, balancing rapid symptom relief with infection control.