My family went to Roatan, Honduras over Christmas. One day while snorkeling, I bumped into some coral which cut me. The cut wasn’t deep at all, more of a scrape really. I didn’t need stitches (or even a band-aid). But now, more than a week later, the area that was scraped (about an inch by a half inch) is raised, red, dry, and itchy. It doesn’t really bother me, but I’m wondering if this is dangerous, or will leave a permanent scar. Any experiences with coral cuts/scrapes?
Thanks, guys.
I thought I heard certain kinds of coral were worse but didn’t find anything in a brief search to support that, other than brushing against fire coral.
Some marine invertebrates have stinging cells. Usually not, strickly speaking corals, but other classes of organism. Colloquially called “fire corals” by most divers. I’ve gotten huge blisters from brushing against “something”.
Treatment is mostly to avoid infection by keeping it clean. Cover up and put hydrocortisone on it. See a doctor if it starts looking worse. Definitely see a doctor if it feels hot to the touch or you run a fever, or if the red area gets larger.
You have just discovered one of the very good reasons why “don’t touch” is a good rule for both you and the coral. I have had some personal experience with this, but IANAD, and my advice is worth exactly what you are paying for it.