Fishhook Injuries
Topic Overview Even if you fish carefully,
you may get a
fishhook in your skin. A fishhook is a curved, sharp instrument placed on a lure or line
to catch fish. Some fishhooks have a barb near the tip that keeps the fish on the hook. You can also use a barbless fishhook, which may reduce the chance of a fishhook
injury. Fishhook injuries often occur
when you remove a slippery, flopping fish from your line. Injury may also occur
when you are casting a line, when another person is casting a line, or if you walk
barefoot near fishing gear. The chance of a fishhook injury increases if you
are not familiar with fishing gear. Most fishhook injuries puncture
the skin of the face, scalp, fingers, back, or ears. Home treatment can help
you remove a fishhook that is not too deep. It is
important to
clean the puncture wound well to help prevent
infection. A fishhook can cause other problems if it enters the
eye, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or bones. A fishhook injury is more serious
when: - A fishhook is in or near an eye, so it's important to know first aid measures.
- A barb can't be removed using home
treatment.
- Bleeding is
severe or can't be stopped.
- The wound is
big enough to
need stitches.
- Blood vessels, nerves,
tendons,
ligaments,
joints, or bones are injured. Injuries to these areas
may cause:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Pale, white, blue, or cold skin.
- Decreased ability to
move the area.
- Signs of infection develop, such as
redness, swelling, or pus. A puncture from a fishhook is often dirty from
marine bacteria, which increases the chance of a
skin infection.
- Your
tetanus immunization is not current.
Check your symptoms to decide if and when you
should see a doctor. Check Your SymptomsDo you have an injury caused by a fishhook? Review health risks that may make any symptom more serious. How old are you? Less than 12 years Less than 12 years 12 years or older 12 years or older Is the fishhook stuck in the eyeball? Don't try to remove the hook, and don't put any pressure on the eye. Try to keep the eye still until help arrives. For an arm or leg wound, is the skin below the wound (farther down the limb) blue, pale, or cold to the touch and different from the other arm or leg? This may mean that a major blood vessel was damaged and that blood is not reaching the rest of the arm or leg. Yes Skin is blue, pale, or cold below an arm or leg injury No Skin is blue, pale, or cold below an arm or leg injury For an arm or leg wound, is there any numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling around the wound or below the wound (farther down the arm or leg)? This may mean that a nerve was damaged. Yes Numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling around or below an arm or leg injury No Numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling around or below an arm or leg injury Is the fishhook still stuck in the wound? The fishhook needs to be removed within the next 8 hours if possible. But depending on where the hook is, it may not be safe for you to remove it on your own. Do you think the fishhook may be stuck in a joint, bone, or muscle or deep in the skin? If it is, don't try to remove it. Yes Fishhook in a joint, bone, or muscle, or deep in the skin No Fishhook in a joint, bone, or muscle, or deep in the skin Is the fishhook near the eye, in the eyelid, or in the face or mouth? If it is, don't try to remove it. Yes Fishhook near the eye, in the eyelid, or in the face or mouth No Fishhook near the eye, in the eyelid, or in the face or mouth Do you think you can try to remove the hook? You may be able to remove a hook that is small, is not in too deep, and has few barbs. Were you able to remove the fishhook? Yes Able to remove the fishhook No Able to remove the fishhook Do you think you may have a fever? Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it? Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system, peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area? "Hardware" includes things like artificial joints, plates or screws, catheters, and medicine pumps. Yes Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area No Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area Is there any swelling or bruising? Did you have swelling or bruising within 30 minutes of the injury? Yes Swelling or bruising within 30 minutes of injury No Swelling or bruising within 30 minutes of injury Has swelling lasted for more than 2 days? Yes Swelling for more than 2 days No Swelling for more than 2 days Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind
of care you may need. These include: - Your age. Babies and older
adults tend to get sicker quicker.
- Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart
disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care
sooner.
- Medicines you take. Certain
medicines, herbal remedies, and supplements can cause symptoms or make them
worse.
- Recent health events, such as surgery
or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them
more serious.
- Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug
use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home TreatmentYou have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be
able to take care of this problem at home. - Try home treatment to relieve the
symptoms.
- Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any
concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect).
You may need care sooner.
With severe bleeding, any of these may
be true: - Blood is pumping from the wound.
- The
bleeding does not stop or slow down with pressure.
- Blood is quickly soaking through bandage after bandage.
With moderate bleeding, any of these may
be true: - The bleeding slows or stops with pressure but
starts again if you remove the pressure.
- The blood may soak through
a few bandages, but it is not fast or out of control.
With mild bleeding, any of these may be
true: - The bleeding stops on its own or with
pressure.
- The bleeding stops or slows to an ooze or trickle after
15 minutes of pressure. It may ooze or trickle for up to 45 minutes.
Symptoms of infection may
include: - Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or
around the area.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and
illness. Some examples in adults are: - Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease,
and HIV/AIDS.
- Long-term alcohol and drug
problems.
- Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety
of conditions.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for
cancer.
- Other medicines used to treat autoimmune
disease.
- Medicines taken after organ transplant.
- Not
having a spleen.
You may need a tetanus shot depending
on how dirty the wound is and how long it has been since your last shot. - For a dirty wound that has
things like dirt, saliva, or feces in it, you may need a shot if:
- You haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 5
years.
- You don't know when your last shot was.
- For a clean wound, you may
need a shot if:
- You have not had a tetanus shot in the past 10
years.
- You don't know when your last shot was.
Seek Care NowBased on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. - Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and
arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have
one, seek care in the next hour.
- You do not need to call an
ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving
yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area
where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Seek Care TodayBased on your answers, you may need care soon. The
problem probably will not get better without medical care. - Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms
and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't
have one, seek care today.
- If it is evening, watch the symptoms and
seek care in the morning.
- If the symptoms get worse, seek care
sooner.
Call 911 NowBased on your answers, you need
emergency care. Call911or other emergency services now. Put direct, steady pressure on the
wound until help arrives. Keep the area raised if you can. Call 911 NowBased on your answers, you need
emergency care. Call911or other emergency services now. « Back C 2.1.0.0
R 11.4.0.0 Start Over Home TreatmentFirst aid for fishhook injuries
includes the following: Medicine you can buy without a prescription| Try a nonprescription
medicine to help treat your fever or pain: |
|---|
Talk to your child's doctor before switching back and
forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two
medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine. | Safety tips| Be sure to follow these
safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine: |
|---|
- Carefully read and follow all directions
on the medicine bottle and box.
- Do not take more than the
recommended dose.
- Do not take a medicine if you have had an
allergic reaction to it in the past.
- If
you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take
it.
- If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other
than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to.
- Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.
| Symptoms to watch for during home treatmentCall your doctor if any of the following occur during home
treatment: - Numbness and
tingling develop below the site of the injury.
- Pale, white, blue, or cold skin
develops below the site of the injury.
- Symptoms of a
skin infection develop, such as redness, swelling, or
pus.
- Symptoms become more frequent or severe.
PreventionThe following tips will help you reduce
your chance of a fishhook injury: - Fish with single hooks rather than multiple
hooks.
- Consider using a barbless hook. It is safer for you and is
better for the fish if you plan on releasing it.
- Wear shoes, a hat,
and other protective clothing, such as eyeglasses or goggles, when fishing and
when walking in areas where people fish.
- Look around before casting
to make sure no one is behind you.
- When you fish, carry a
commercial fishhook remover, a large Kelly clamp, or sharp, side-cutting
pliers.
When you go fishing, be prepared for a fishhook injury. If you
are prepared, you may be able to remove a fishhook, which may prevent a serious
injury and decrease your risk of infection. Preparing For Your AppointmentTo prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your
doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the
following questions: - When did you receive the fishhook
injury?
- Did you attempt to remove the fishhook? If so, what methods
did you try?
- When was your last tetanus shot?
- Do you
have any
health risks?
CreditsByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerH. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Current as ofMarch 20, 2017 Current as of:
March 20, 2017 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
|
|