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Skin lesions caused by poisonous snakes, molluscs, leeches, anemones
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Poisonous snakes
Of poisonous snakes, the most dangerous are the bites of cobra, spectacled snakes, vipers, and some sea snakes. Their bites (usually - hands, feet) are accompanied by local pain, the growing edema of the affected limb, sometimes turning to the torso. Two reddish dot wounds appear at the site of the bite; soon around them there are petechiae or hemorrhages, which can also be detected on mucous membranes.
There is cyanosis and sharp edema of the limb, the general toxic reaction is increasing. In a number of cases, a collaptoid state develops. When bitten by tropical snakes, up to 15% of bitten people die from heart failure, paralysis of the respiratory center on the 3-4 day after the bite.
Treatment: rapid removal (suction) of venom from the wound (effective for half an hour); immobilization of the limb; introduction of antiserum serum into the inter-vial region (20-100 ml); adrenaline, caffeine, cordiamine, ephedrine; Novocain blockade around the bite site; corticosteroids systemically in medium doses.
Shellfish
Some sea mollusks have a poisonous apparatus and cause painful burns in bathers, the development of erosion, local ischemia, cyanosis, numbness, which can quickly spread to large areas of the body. Contact with some species of mollusks can lead to death. Professional allergic dermatitis from contacts with squids and mussels is described.
Hirudinosis
It is caused by leeches that stick to the human skin in standing water, while in the jungle, walking barefoot on wet grass and swamps. Bites of medical leeches are not very painful, since the secret of their salivary glands contains anesthetic substances. The bites of tropical leeches cause burning and sharp pain. After their bites bleeding wounds appear, slowly healing, due to the attachment of a secondary infection, up to abscesses and phlegmon (with concomitant debilitating diseases). In the presence of sensitization, urticaria, bullous, necrotic eruptions occur; anaphylactic reactions are not ruled out.
Disease of sponge seekers (coral ulcers)
Contact dermatitis caused by floating larvae of actinium Edwardsiella lineata. On the body, covered with a swimsuit or swimming trunks, appears light erythema, small reddish papules (papulevesicles), rarely - blisters, pustules. The rash lasts 1-2 weeks. With repeated contacts with actinia skin manifestations are more severe (up to ulcerative necrotic lesions).
Treatment: corticosteroids topically or systemically.
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