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Marine mollusks and the skin
Author(s) -
Whatley Ralph E.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8019.2002.01506.x
Subject(s) - envenomation , medicine , octopus (software) , jellyfish , snail , marine toxin , dermatology , fishery , biology , venom , ecology , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , toxin
Human contact with marine mollusks such as shellfish, marine snails, octopuses, and squids may result in human illness including dermatologic disorders. These range from minor traumatic injury of the skin to more serious systemic illnesses that include dermatologic manifestations. Notable among these are dermatologic manifestations of illness caused by toxins from ingested mollusks, stings of the cone snail, and envenomation by the bite of the blue‐ringed octopus. Cone snail and blue‐ringed octopus envenomations, although rare, can be deadly due to neuromuscular paralysis. Management of dermatologic illnesses caused by marine mollusks depends upon the nature of the exposure. Attention to local measures is usually sufficient for minor cuts and abrasions. Conversely, cone snail and blue‐ringed octopus envenomations require immediate attention, possibly including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.