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Will Sponges ever Hurt Me
On a recent dive trip I was not wearing gloves and I touched a vase sponge. The next moring I woke up with my hand swollen and itching. I wasn't sure what happened. Everyone I asked had a different theory. One person suggested it was from the sponge. I didn't think sponges were harmful. Can sponges really cause a rash?
An itching rash may develop within a few hours after contact with a sponge and is similar to the rash from contact with other mildly toxic marine animals.
It’s assumed that a diver who has handled a sponge and develops a rash on the hands has been exposed to a toxic species. The reactions are usually mild and subside in a few days with little or no treatment. However, reactions can become quite severe, with pain and blistering.
The best treatment is to clean the area quicklyby removing the pointed spicules of sponges. These are the hard, pointed calcareous or siliceous bodies that support the tissues of sponges and become imbedded in a diver’s skin. To remove these spicules, use wide tape to lift the particles from the site. This is an alternative to shaving. Or carefully scrape the area with a credit card, tongue depressor or similar object.
Once you are confident that the any remaining fragments are removed, apply a topical application of hydrocortisone cream. Monitor the injured person for any signs of shock, allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Anyone assisting the injured person should use simple latex gloves. Found in most first aid kits, they will suffice in protecting against stings.