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| Miscellaneous Disorders of the Hand & Upper Extremity > Fish Hook Injuries What are Fishhook Injuries? Fishhooks are sharp small objects that can easily penetrate the skin, especially when fly-casting. Fishhooks come in an assortment of sizes and shapes, designed for specialized kinds of fishing or for particular types of bait. Most fishhooks contain barbs, and it is because of these barbs that fishhook removal is a sensitive procedure, perhaps requiring the help of a physician. While it is sometimes necessary to try to remove a fishhook without medical assistance, especially if the accident occurs in an isolated area, care must be taken to do as little damage as possible to the skin and underlying tissue. Never try to remove a fishhook that has penetrated the eye. Especially if you plan to fish in a wilderness region, be sure to pack first aid supplies such as an electrician's pliers with a wire-cutting blade, tweezers, latex gloves, antiseptic solution for cleaning wounds, and sterile gauze and tape. A small first aid kit should be part of any angler°s fishing equipment. Causes of Fishhook Injuries? Sometimes the wind will blow the fishing line, leader, and fly toward the angler, catching the fishhook on the skin of the fisherman. Sometimes an angler inadvertently snags a bystander with a hook. Anglers may also suffer fishhook injuries when removing hooks from fish, especially if the fish is alive and offering resistance. Wearing gloves is a sensible precaution. Fishhook removal is more straightforward and less risky with barbless hooks. Many anglers choose to use barbless hooks, claiming that they more easily penetrate the fish and make hook release kinder and simpler. Some people file the hooks down themselves or bend them down with an electrician's pliers; these operations, too, can occasionally result in injury. Fishhooks and tackle should always be kept out of reach of small children. Their bright colors and interesting shapes may intrigue children, who might catch the barbed hooks on their fingers or put them into their mouths. Symptoms of Fishhook Injuries? Fishhook injuries vary depending on the force with which the hook penetrates the skin, the part of the body affected, and the particular design of the fishhook. Fishhooks produce puncture wounds, the symptoms of which include pain, swelling, redness, and loss of motion. Infection is always a concern with wounds of this type. Fishhook injuries to the hand require attention because of the fact that the hand is a complex part of the body, comprised of many small interrelated parts. While it is possible for a fishhook to damage a tendon or tendon sheath, a blood vessel, nerve, or other sensitive tissues and ligaments, most fishhook injuries involve the skin and subcutaneous tissues only. Treatment of Fishhook Injuries? If a fishhook has penetrated your skin, or the skin of a child for whom you are caring, try to obtain medical care as quickly as possible. One advantage of professional treatment is that local anesthetic can be used to make fishhook removal less painful. If you are in an isolated area, and it appears that you can remove the hook without inflicting further damage, try to do so according to one of the two procedures described below. First technique:
In most cases, this type of injury will heal within 3 to 4 days. Watch the wound carefully, irrigate it well, and notify your doctor if you experience any redness, swelling, or fever. The application of ice and/or heat to the injury helps relieve discomfort. The information provided herein is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a licensed physician. ©2000 DynoMed.com, LLC, Indianapolis, IN |