Does fish slime coat reduce pain from fish stings/venoms?

[bekateen]

Hi All,

Someone who has been working in the fish farming industry for a while recently said this to someone I know:

There is an old wives’ tale that rubbing belly slime on a puncture will lessen the pain. Punctures result in cussing, and a bit of shock. The belly slime seems to reduce the cussing to one minute instead of ten minutes.

Have you ever heard that rubbing the belly slime from a catfish onto a puncture wound (by the same catfish) somehow neutralizes the effect of the venom/toxin from the spine puncture (or more generally, may sedate the skin area, making the sting hurt less)?

I've never heard that, and I'm wondering if any of you have.

Cheers, Eric

[lfinley58]

Hi,
The fishing link below has an interesting exchange on the topic. The catfish involved is a member of the family Ariidae. Do read beyond the first post as there is an interesting caveat that follows.
Lee

http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/f2 ... rks-50650/

[bekateen]

That's very interesting. The bacterial issue I've been aware of before. It really doesn't make sense that slime would affect venom or toxin that's already entered the body. Also, over the years I've read quite a few articles on catfish spine and toxin related medical visits. Thanks Lee.

Cheers, Eric

[catfishchaos]

My brother Was stung by a

Ariopsis felis

many years ago before either of us knew about the three spikes- he attempted to push the unhooked fish back into the ocean with the sole of his foot and the spike went right to the bone. The slime of this catfish is actually the part that contains the venom and although he was pretty tough for a 10 year old he proceeded to go into shock (not anaphylactic). So I don't think it works with all species although I actually have heard of catfish slime coats being used for medicinal purposes... I don't remember where I saw that though