What To Do When Pricked by a Prawn – First Aid Tips and Precautions

Prawns are a delicious type of seafood that many people enjoy. However, preparing fresh prawns does come with the risk of getting pricked or cut by their sharp shells and spikes. These injuries may seem minor, but can lead to infections if not properly treated.

When pricked or cut by a prawn, it’s important to take quick action to clean the wound and monitor for any signs of infection Here is a complete guide on what to do when pricked by a prawn, plus tips for prevention.

How Prawn Pricks Happen

Prawns have a hard outer shell covered in spines and sharp edges. Both their legs and tails can easily puncture human skin during food prep or recreational fishing. Common ways prawn pricks occur include:

• Peeling or deveining raw prawns
• Accidentally pressing down on prawns when cleaning
• Sorting through a catch of wild prawns
• Stepping on a prawn with bare feet
• Pinned by the barb of a prawn’s rostrum (beak)
• Pricked while baiting a hook with prawns

Even a small puncture can introduce bacteria into the wound and lead to infection So what should you do right after being pricked?

First Aid When Pricked by a Prawn

Follow these first aid steps immediately after suffering a prawn prick or cut:

1. Wash the wound – Rinse under running water. Use soap if available. This flushes out dirt and debris.

2. Disinfect the area – Apply rubbing alcohol, iodine or an antiseptic wipe to kill microbes.

3. Apply antibiotic cream – After cleaning, apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to prevent infection.

4. Cover with a bandage – Use an adhesive bandage or gauze wrap to protect the wound.

5. Watch for signs of infection – Look for redness, swelling, oozing, fever or red streaks.

6. Seek medical care if worsens – Get prompt care if the wound shows infection signs.

Proper first aid reduces the odds of complications like cellulitis, a potentially serious skin infection.

Risk Factors for Infection

Most minor prawn pricks heal without issue when properly cared for. However, some circumstances or conditions can raise the risk of developing an infection, including:

• Puncture wounds from larger prawns
• Deep punctures near joints or bones
• Underlying health conditions like diabetes or immunosuppression
• Failure to properly disinfect the wound
• Exposure to polluted water sources

People with higher risks should closely monitor any prawn injury and contact a doctor at the first signs of infection.

Signs of Infection from Prawn Pricks

In most cases, a small prawn prick will heal within a few days if kept clean and dry. But call your doctor promptly if you notice any of these signs of infection:

• Increased redness, swelling or warmth around the wound
• Red streaks spreading from the injury
• Pus or cloudy drainage from the puncture site
• Excessive pain or throbbing at the wound
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• Chills, nausea, dizziness or generally feeling unwell

Skin infections require prescription antibiotic treatment. Left untreated, the infection can spread through the lymph nodes and bloodstream.

Bacteria Causing Infections from Prawns

There are several types of bacteria that can enter the skin from prawn pricks and cause infection, including:

Vibrio bacteria – Common in marine and brackish waters. Causes rapidly spreading skin infections.

Streptococcus bacteria – Responsible for cellulitis and other skin infections.

Staphylococcus aureus – Leads to infected blisters, abscesses and swelling.

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae – Causes localized skin lesions, fever, and joint pain.

Mycobacterium marinum – Slow-growing germ leading to chronic skin ulcers.

Thoroughly cleaning prawn punctures right away helps prevent these bacteria from gaining a foothold and causing infection.

Treating Infected Prawn Wounds

If a prawn injury does become infected, your doctor will likely prescribe oral antibiotics. Treatment lasts 7-14 days for mild cases, and up to a month for more severe infections.

Some other treatment approaches may include:

• Wound care – Keeping the infected area clean to prevent further spread.

• Incision and drainage – Lancing and draining pus from larger abscesses.

• Surgery – For severe infections causing extensive skin damage.

• IV antibiotics – For infections spreading into the bloodstream and joints.

Take all prescribed antibiotics as directed, even if the infection appears to be clearing, to prevent recurrence.

Home Remedies to Support Healing

In addition to prescribed treatment, some home remedies can help speed up recovery:

• Apply warm compresses to promote drainage and reduce swelling.

• Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart to discourage swelling.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for relief.

• Get extra rest while your immune system fights infection.

• Drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods to provide resources for healing.

Avoid submerging infected wounds in baths, pools or salt water until fully healed. Moisture encourages bacterial overgrowth.

Preventing Prawn Prick Injuries

While not guaranteed to prevent pricks, these tips can reduce your risks:

• Wear puncture-resistant gloves when handling live or raw prawns.

• Avoid pressing down on prawns when peeling or cleaning them.

• Use tongs, a fork or your fingers to remove shells – not your bare hands.

• Rinse prawns well to wash away loose shell fragments before peeling.

• Pay close attention and work slowly to avoid accidental pricks.

• Keep first aid supplies on hand when preparing seafood.

• Disinfect any cuts right away and cover with a waterproof bandage.

• Take care when wading barefoot in prawn habitats.

When to See a Doctor

In most cases, first aid and close monitoring is sufficient for minor prawn pricks. But it’s crucial to seek prompt medical care if you notice any signs of infection like red streaks, swelling, fever or pus.

Also get medical attention right away if the prick occurs in the eyes, mouth, joints or genitals as these areas are at higher risk for complications.

Don’t hesitate to call your doctor or visit an urgent care clinic at the first hint of infection, since early treatment leads to better outcomes. Cellulitis and other bacterial infections can rapidly escalate in just 24-48 hours.

The Takeaway

Prawn puncture wounds are common minor injuries that can occur during recreational activities or seafood prep. While not usually serious, they do carry a risk of infection if not properly cleaned and monitored.

Know what to watch for and follow first aid basics like washing, disinfecting and bandaging any prawn pricks right away. Check for signs of infection and call your doctor at the first hint of trouble. Prompt care ensures the best recovery.