Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

Here is one for all of you to think about. I just received this question, via email, from a woman regarding her husband being "finned" by a fish. Not being a doctor it isn't easy to give her a definite answer, especially when there is a serious side to this.

I told her about the allergic reaction I had from a fresh water catfish, and about a woman who was in a wheel chair and using a cane for 3 months in Florida after being stuck by a salt water catfish.

Anyway, here is her question:
My husband was freshwater fishing the last week and he was stuck by a fish fin. The next day, the woke up and was having problems with the right side of his face. The entire right side of his face is paralyzed. He went to the hospital and they told him it was Bell's Palsy. Then he remembered he had been *****ed by the fish's fin and he wondered if that may have been
the cause. Does being stuck by a fish fin have that type of effect? (By the way it was a warmouth)

Because of the hospital's diagnosis this is a serious thing to answer. I told her that I would contact a friend who is a doctor, and pass the question along to my fellow pros and members of the outdoor media.

Hope some of you may be able to help out with this one.
Dan

Dan, as I replied by e-mail, I just can't see a fish fin doing this to anyone, maybe a bottom dweller, but most likely not a gamefish like the Warmouth. There have been numerous cases of infections from catfish horn cuts so I guess anything is possible. Like you said, we're not doctors and it is a serious problem. Hope someone supplies some educated information, good luck with this one. Johnnie

I am don't believe that this is exactly the same thing but the link below will take you to an article about a guy that got pretty messed up after being stuck by a fish.

Article about getting stuck by a fish.

It's pretty scarey.

JT Bagwell

Dan,

I am not sure if I can answer that question. I am also a pharmacist in NY and PA. I have been stuck before by a salt water catfish and I can say it hurt. There was lots of swellin at the site. It got very red and irritated--just like getting stung by a bee but worse. Did the man get stuck in his face because that is one of two ways that he mave have had the problem. If he was stuck on one of the nerves that controlled his left side of his face. The other reason could have been a mini stroke. How old is that man? Hope I shed some light on the subject.

The guy could have had an allergic reation to the fin or perhaps some bacteria that was on the fin. The paralysis sounds alot like Bells palsy. I used to work in a fish market and around XMass time, it was just super busy. I would clean like 500lbs of shrimp in a day with my boss. At the end of the day, his face swelled up a bit and was paralyzed on one side. It lasted for a few days. No doubt he stuck himself with the shrimp spine near the tail.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. As for further information, what was posted is all that was supplied. I'm going to contact the woman and have her check out our site, and look at these answers.

I'm also going to check out the web page JT found, and hopefully she will do the same.

We always knew our business was a bit more dangeous than others may think, but having something happen from being stuck by a fish, isn't exactly what is at the top of our minds when going fishing.

Thanks again.
Dan

Hi. I'm the woman that asked Dan the question about my husband being "finned" by a warmouth. We found out it was Bell's Palsy but afterwards, he remembered being stuck by the fish and thought mayber they were connected. My in-laws said that it was a mini-stroke. So you were right. By the way, he's 27 years old. Thanks so much for all the replies. Hopefully this will pass soon as the Bell's Palsy (Paralysis) is very annoying to hubby.
Thanks all

Nicole-
I believe the guys are right about what you should do. Get the best available help from the medical establishment.

My Sons both worked as NY City paramedics for almost 20 years and I know that they wouldn't comment on this publicly except to say just what the fellas have already told you.

Best wishes to you both and specifically to your husband for a fast and total recovery.
Keep us posted.