Catfish 'whiskers' are actually very sensitive sensory organs. The venom glands are encased in an integument sheath around the pectoral spines. When the sheath is torn, the toxin is released into the punture wound.

Catfish injuries can be more serious than what is commonly accepted. While the venom is mild in most species, it is a combination of hemolytic (damages blood cells), dermonicrotic (damages skin cells), inflammatory (irritates nerve cells) and vasoconstrictive (constricts blood vessels, especially capillaries) factors. Some people seem to be hypersensitive and may need medical attention after a catfish envenomation. Another problem is that pieces of the spine may remain embedded in the wound and can cause serious infection and nerve damage.

The main danger from a catfish 'finning' is infection from atypical virulent bacteria. Due to the catfishes habitat, many species of serious pathogens can be involved, even from very clean waters. Some of the most prevalent are Klebselia, Nocardia, Chromobacterium, Mycobacterium, Aeromonas, and in salt water, Vibrio. Infections involving Aeromonas and Vibrio can be serious, especially in immunocompromised individuals. The antimicrobials effective against these species are different from standard empiric therapy given after common soft tissue injuries. Isolation of these organisms is difficult and easily overlooked on standard deoxycholate agar plates. There are newer tests involving molecular genetics, but they are not widely available at this time. It is important that your Primary Care Professional be aware of the association of these pathogens with catfish injuries in order to institute proper treatment.

After a 'finning', the first step is to aggressivly clean and debride the wound. Remove any remnants of spines or foreign tissue if possible. Then, since the toxins are heat sensitive, immerse the injured area in water as hot as you can stand it without scalding for at least 10 minutes. Leave the wound open. If there are any signs of an infection within the next few day, see your Primary Health Care Provider as soon as possible and inform them of the possibility of Aeromona or Vibrio infection. Get a tetanus shot if you are not current. Inform your doctor if you experience erythema, thrombosis, muscular 'tics', hemorage, or tissue necrosis.

Antibiotic therapy will vary according to the age of the victim, immune system status, time of the injury and other factors. Ciprofloxacin, or other flouroquinolones are popular due to thier efectiveness against gram-negative bacteriums.

If in doubt, always seek medical attention. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Semper Fi!