Octopus Envenomation Follow-up
- Author: Jon Mark Hirshon, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM more...
Further Inpatient Care
The patient with octopus envenomation should be admitted to an intensive care unit until the venom has worn off, usually in 4-10 hours.
If significant hypoxia has not occurred, recovery is usually rapid.
Further Outpatient Care
Local wound care follow up is prudent.
Complications
If acute paralysis and respiratory arrest is not immediately recognized and appropriately treated, anoxic brain injury or death will result.
Prognosis
The prognosis for octopus envenomation is generally excellent, unless significant hypoxia has occurred.
Patients should be warned that anaphylactic reactions may result in ongoing symptoms (eg, joint pains, effusions) for up to several weeks.
Patient Education
Individuals in Australian coastal waters must be educated to take care where they step in tide pools and not to pick up an octopus.
For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Bites and Stings Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article
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