Fishhook Injuries

Home Treatment

First aid for fishhook injuries includes the following:

• Stop the bleeding. Wash your hands and put pressure on the wound for 15 minutes. If bleeding doesn't stop, keep putting pressure on the wound for another 15 minutes.
• Remove the fishhook. Cut the fishing line, apply ice to numb the area, and determine if the barb is in the skin.
• Clean the cut or puncture wound after the fishhook has been removed. Wash your hands and rinse the wound for 10 to 15 minutes with mild soap and water.
• Evaluate your need for stitches. If the wound is large, deep, or opens with movement, it probably needs stitches.
• Follow guidelines for bandaging the wound. Consider bandaging the wound if you need to protect it from getting dirty or irritated. Clean the wound well before bandaging it to reduce the risk of infection.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription

Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain:
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol or Panadol Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn Aspirin (also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), such as Bayer or Bufferin

Safety tips

Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine:

Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• Decreased ability to move the limb normally below the site of the fishhook injury develops.
• Numbness and tingling develops below the site of the injury.
• You cannot feel a pulse below the site of the injury.
• Pale, white, blue, or cold skin develops below the site of the injury.
• Symptoms of a skin infection develop, such as redness, swelling, or pus.
• Symptoms become more frequent or severe.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: July 6, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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