Neostigmine (Prostigmin Bromide) and edrophonium ( Enlon, Tensilon) have shown benefits in some reports of tetrodotoxin intoxication (for example, pufferfish toxin similar to the blue ring octopus toxin), but have not undergone clinical trials in blue-ringed octopus envenomations.If the patient is having difficulty breathing, assist with mouth-to-mouth ventilation.If 30 minutes or more have passed since the blue-octopus bite, the pressure immobilization technique is not likely to be helpful.(Hopefully, medical care can be received within this time period.) The elastic bandage should be removed for 90 seconds every 10 minutes and then reapplied for the first 4-6 hours.The extremity should also be immobilized with a splint or stick of some sort to prevent it from bending at the joint(s).It should be tight, but the fingers and toes should remain pink so that the circulation is not cut off. Use an elastic bandage (similar to ACE bandage) to wrap the limb starting at the distal end (fingers or toes) and wrap toward the body.After that time, surviving patients typically show rapid signs of improvement. Use the pressure immobilization technique: The duration of life-threatening symptoms is usually from 4 to 10 hours.What Is the Treatment for a Blue-Ringed Octopus Bite?īlue-ringed octopus bites are considered a medical emergency so do not wait for symptoms to develop quickly get the person bitten out of the water and, if possible, call 911 and consider transport to the nearest hospital. To avoid being bitten by a blue-ring octopus, never pick up or handle this marine animal, and when entering the ocean, shuffle your feet as you enter to avoid stepping on the octopus. Since the blue-ringed octopus is not an aggressive marine animal, most cases of bites are from a person picking up and handling the octopus, or stepping on it in a sandy beach area.The venom is held in salivary glands and the mouth of the octopus in on the underneath side in the middle of the body. The blue-ringed octopus injects its toxin by biting.Avoid handling this octopus because its sting contains tetrodotoxin, which paralyzes the victim (similar to pufferfish poisoning). When human contact with a blue-ringed octopus occurs, it is usually accidental.The blue-ringed octopus does not release inky fluid like other octopi are able to do. When excited or angered, the body darkens and the blue circles or stripes glow iridescent blue. When at rest, the octopus has dark brown to yellow bands over the body with superimposed blue patches or rings. They are rarely seen in water deeper than 10 feet. The blue-ringed octopus lives in rock pools, under shells, and in shallow waters, making them a risk to people wading in tide pools, children, and divers alike.
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