BeachHunter.net

[joonie]

Hello - I am so glad I found this site, and appreciate all the information.. I am going to give the web site address to my friends.
Maybe I have missed what I am looking for and hope my answer is not already here somewhere.
I was in Florida for first time over Christmas and on Decemer 25th walked over a pile of broken seashells and something stuck in one of my toes (Bonita Beach).
Excrutiating pain and my husband pulled out what appeared to him to look like a slim "thorn" about 3/8 of an inch with a little lump on end. Next day foot was getting red so off to Doctor and he gave me tetanus shot and antibiotics, as infected. Hurts continually but is getting better.
I am still wondering what exactly I trod on... I read the part about horns on some fish... but wasn't sure if the horns are that small?
There was a small hole where the barb was taken out but since then my toe has more of a red painful itchy patch with little red dots on. Also wondering if "something" is still embedded in my toe.
Hope I am not sounding like a baby.... I am so happy that this happened at the end of our trip and not the beginning, and from what I have read, this is nothing compared with what some people have had to ensure.
Thanks so much... I appreciate your time
(wish I had seen this web site before my trip)

[BeachHunter-admin]

I'm sorry you had this experience. Bonita Beach does have a lot of piles of broken shells doesn't it?

Jellyfish do not have sharp, hard objects on their bodies. They are quite soft or rubbery and jelly-like.

It sounds like you either stepped on a spine from a fish fin, a piece of fish bone, or possibly a thorn from a plant. Three-eighths of an inch is quite small and it doesn't seem like something so small would cause so much pain, so in that respect it does sound like it might be a fish spine rather than a thorn. Fish spines are very painful when stepped on.

Did the doctor have you soak the toe in hot water? A hot foot bath with Epsom Salts can provide relieve and increased healing for that type of injury.

I've had this type of email before, where a person stepped on something on the beach and felt the pain you describe. Even after going to the doctor and having x-rays they felt as if something were still in the foot.

Time will tell. If it isn't well healed withing a couple of weeks, I'd recommend seeing another doctor just to make sure part of the object isn't still in your toe.
_________________
See you at the beach!

BeachHunter

[joonie]

...thanks so much for the information
I know - its hard to fathom 10 lbs of pain in 1/2 ounce of toe !
Yes, you are right - it does feel like something is still in there... the Dr. in the USA (very nice) said he didnt want to poke around my toe as it had signs of infection; so maybe I will go to a local clinic after the Jan.1st holiday here and see what they say. I don't suppose a piece of fish spine would show on a xray? Wondering why it still hurts if the spine is out.
I really liked strolling on the beach and collecting shells etc. and had done all week - I am so mad at myself for even walking over shells on the beach in the first place when I didnt have to..... oh well
I look forward to going back to Florida one day - might drive down from Ontario next time as am terrified of flying....although I somehow managed it.
Thanks again for your knowledge....much appreciated, bye for now