Who's been stung by a saltwater catfish, and how long does the pain last?
I got zapped 4 weeks ago in my thumb joint. There are no visible signs. There hasn't been any swelling since the day it happened. The pain went away for about a week. Now it feels a little sore when I move it, and gets very sore if something hits it.
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by TheC0zmo
I got barbed by a hardhead on my index down to the bone. Pain/throbbing lasted for about an hour while I soaked it in hot water. For about 2 weeks it was pretty tender and I thought a barb might have broken off. Thankfully that wasn't the case. Ended up fully healing in about 3 weeks.
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by the_montster
Thanks. That's what got me, right in the joint. I whined a little bit, then went back to fishing. I just wanted to make sure this length of time isn't abnormal.
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by TheC0zmo
Yeah I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep an eye on it and if it starts looking infected definitely take a trip to the Dr.
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by the_montster
Keep an eye out for a rash especially if that cat came from warm brackish waters. That Necrotizing Fasciitis
( flesh eating disease ) can be painful. Had a fishing buddy got this from just cleaning fish with an open wound on the back of his hand.
plumbob
flyguy
Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!
My sister-in-law died from it. By the time she went to the Dr., it was too late. She didn't get from fish, were are not sure how she picked it up. Anyway, I always carry a little bottle of pine-sol in my back pack and if I get stung by a hardhead I rinse the wound out very well and the burning sensation will go away for good in about an hour. I have known guys that have been very sick from it for about 6 weeks. You don't want to mess around with it.
Sorry to hear about that flyguy. I've read others mention the pine-sol. I just kayak but I believe I will find room for some pine-sol from now on. Thanks for your insight.
plumbob
I use an empty gallon jug filled with water and a cap full of Clorox in it for washing my hands after handling fish from the bay. The Clorox kills the bacteria, and no i don't drink that water. LOL I also buy the cheap 5 mil gloves from Harbor Freight if I have any cuts/scrapes on my hands. If/when they tear I put on a new one. During the summer anyway. Winter/cold fishing is a different set of gloves.
Also with cats, if you put your hand near their tail and "slide it up towards the head", the fins will come out and you can use those with one on each side of your hand to hold them safely. Learned that trick at about 12. Never forgot it either. Was living in Phoenix and they drained one of the canals and we kids went out catching fish by hand.
flyguy
Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!
You are welcome, Plumbob, I found this info. from the Gulf Shores Pier Fishing Forum. Most everyone carries it around the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, AL. area. Pine-sol is suppose to be an anti-bacteria agent and it kills the bacteria in the "slime" on the hardheads. We have a freshwater cat, called a willow cat, in MN. that is a super walleye bait and only grows to the size of a couple, three inches and you have to "dig" them out of the mud in order to get any of them. If you get stung by them, you will have a simular reaction as getting stung by a hardhead. It's strange, I have only caught walleyes out of the Miss. River with willow cats, I have never caught a walleye out of a lake using them. They must not be a natural bait in a lake.
audigger53 has it right. I've handled cats that way for 70 years. While in that position if I planned to keep them I'd get out my dikes and snip those barbs.
fishrmans
Loc: Waushara Cnty Wisconsin and Port Charlotte Fl
If you can get that sting into
As hot of water as you can stand as soon as possible it helps a lot. One fish worse than the hardhead is the walking catfish.
with you audiggrf53, got stung , learned that hold at an early age on the neshaminy crick outside Philly in bucks Co. Pa.
I'd see a doctor...maybe get some antibiotics. Not worth losing a finger or hand.
mine was actually freshwater still need to take proper care
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