Bearded Fireworms Deliver a Painful Sting
By Natalie Gibb, About.com Guide
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The bearded fireworm looks like a furry little punk-rock caterpillar. The first time most divers see this fuzzy monster, the immediate impulse is to touch it. DON'T. The bearded fireworm's white bristles contain potent venom.
Where Should Divers Watch for Bearded Fireworms?:
Bearded fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) can be found throughout the Caribbean, Tropical Western Atlantic, and near some islands, such as Ascension Island, in the Mid-Atlantic. Their range begins near the surface and drops to 130 feet or deeper. These bristleworms average between 4 and 6 inches, and can survive a great range of temperatures (from at least 66˚ F to 83 ˚ F).
Bearded Fireworms usually hide under rocks and rubble in the daytime. However, divers occasionally spot them crawling over hard and soft coral during the day. The fireworms eat coral by draping themselves over the coral tips and sucking the living coral animals out of their rocky skeletons. Anytime divers see colorful coral with dead white tips, it is a good clue that bearded fireworms are nearby.
Bearded fireworms move slowly and are not aggressive towards divers. Simply avoid touching the worms. A bearded fireworm will puff out its bristles to cover almost its entire back when it feels threatened. A diver can observe this effect by waving water at fireworm.
These creatures camouflage very well with almost any coral, as they range in color from bright reddish orange to greenish yellow and brown. Swim well away from coral to avoid accidentally brushing against a fireworm's painful bristles. A good precaution is to wear a full wetsuit or lycra diving skin as protection against accidental contact with bearded fireworms and other aquatic life.
What Happens When Divers Are Stung by Bearded Fireworms?
The bearded fireworm gets its name because once stung, the affected area feels like it is burning. The fireworm's stinging hairs are actually extremely brittle, hollow spines that can pierce and lodge in a diver's skin. The spines contain a neurotoxin that causes the burning sensation, occasionally accompanied by dizziness and nausea. The severe pain lasts for a few hours, and irritation can last for much longer. Signs and symptoms of a bearded fireworm sting also include inflammation/redness, swelling, and numbness.
First Aid for Bearded Fireworm Stings
Remove the spines from the skin. Most diving first aid kits will have tweezers to remove marine life spines. However, fireworm bristles are very small, and nearly transparent. This makes it difficult to see the spines and remove them with tweezers. A good trick is to gently press sticky tape onto the affected area, and then pull the tape away to remove the tiny spines.
Rubbing alcohol/ isopropyl alcohol or vinegar may help to alleviate the painful burning sensation caused by a bearded fireworm sting. Both alcohol and vinegar are standard in a diving first aid kit. If the irritation continues, hydrocortisone cream can be applied to the wound, and if infection is suspected, a topical antibiotic can be applied. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for the pain. If the pain is severe, does not go away, or infection is suspected, consult a doctor knowledgeable in marine life injuries.
