Topic Overview
Even if you fish carefully, you may get a
fishhook in your skin. Fishhook injuries often occur
when you remove a slippery, flopping fish from your line. Injury may also occur
when you are casting a line, from another person casting a line, or if you walk
barefoot near fishing gear. The chance of a fishhook injury increases if you
are not familiar with fishing gear.
Most fishhook injuries puncture the skin of the face, scalp,
fingers, back, or ears. Home treatment can help you remove a fishhook that is
not too deep. It is important to clean the puncture wound to help prevent
infection.
A fishhook can cause other problems if it enters the eye, muscles,
tendons, ligaments, or bones. A fishhook injury is more serious when:
- A fishhook is in or near an eye.
- A
barb cannot be removed using home treatment.
- Bleeding is
severe or cannot be stopped.
- The wound is
big enough to
need stitches.
- Blood vessels, nerves,
tendons,
ligaments, joints, or bones are
injured.
- Signs of infection develop, such as
redness, swelling, or pus. A puncture from a fishhook is often dirty from
marine bacteria, which increases the chance of a skin
infection.
- Your
tetanus immunization is not current.
Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to
determine if and when you need to see a health professional.
Emergencies
| Yes
|
Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment?
Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
|
- Signs of shock, such as rapid breathing,
weakness, and a feeling of passing out, develop:
- Severe bleeding has not slowed during
the first 15 minutes of direct pressure. See
how
to stop bleeding
. - A fishhook has punctured an eyeball. See
first aid for an eye injury.
Check Your Symptoms
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.
Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms.
 | Yes | Do you have a fishhook
in
your eyelid or near your eye, but it has not punctured your eyeball?
Note: Do not try to remove the hook. |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of a fishhook in the eyelid or near the
eye if you need information to help you answer the questions
below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Note: | Do not try to remove a hook in your eyelid or near your
eye. |
| Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to
any of the following questions. | | Yes
| Do you have a fishhook in your eyelid? | | Yes
| Do you have a fishhook near your eye? |
 | Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to
the following question. | | Yes
| Do you have a fishhook stuck on your face or head, and it
is hard for you to take it out? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
| Yes | Do you have a fishhook
in
a joint, a bone, a muscle, or deep in the skin? Note: Do not try to remove the hook. |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of a fishhook in a joint, a bone, a muscle, or
deep in the skin if you need information to help you answer the
questions below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Note: | Do not try to remove the hook. |
| Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to
any of the following questions. | | Yes
| Do you have a fishhook in or near a joint? | | Yes
| Do you have a fishhook in a bone? | | Yes
| Do you have a fishhook in a muscle? | | Yes
| Do you have a fishhook deep in the skin? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
| Yes | Are you unable to
remove a fishhook using home treatment? |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of inability to remove a fishhook if you
need information to help you answer the question below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to
the following question. | | Yes
| Are you unable to remove a fishhook using home
treatment? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
| Yes | Do you have
bleeding from a fishhook injury? |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of bleeding if you need information to
help you answer the questions below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to
the following question. | | Yes
| Is
moderate bleeding continuing after 30 minutes of
direct pressure? |
| Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to
the following question. | | Yes
| Is
mild bleeding continuing after 45 minutes of direct
pressure? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
| Yes | Do you have
numbness or tingling near the site of a fishhook
injury? |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of numbness or tingling if you need
information to help you answer the question below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to
the following question. | | Yes
| Do you have
numbness or tingling near the site of a fishhook
injury that does not go away in a few minutes? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
| Yes | Has the skin near a fishhook injury turned
pale,
white, blue, or cold? |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of skin that turns pale, white, blue, or
cold if you need information to help you answer the question
below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to
the following question. | | Yes
| Has the skin near a fishhook injury turned pale, white,
blue, or cold? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
| Yes | Are you
unable to move normally after a fishhook
injury? |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of inability to move normally below the
site of a fishhook injury if you need information to help you answer the
question below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to
the following question. | | Yes
| Are you unable to move your limb normally (not because of
pain) below the fishhook injury? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
| Yes | Do you think you have an
infection? |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of infection if you need information to
help you answer the questions below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to
any of the following questions. | | Yes
| Is a joint red, hot, swollen, and painful where a
fishhook was removed? | | Yes
| Do you have
diabetes? | | Yes
| Do you have
peripheral arterial disease? | | Yes
| Do you have a disease or take a medicine that causes
problems with your
immune system? |
| Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to
any of the following questions. | | Yes
| Do you have increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth
around the wound? | | Yes
| Is the area around your wound increasingly tender to the
touch? | | Yes
| Do you have red streaks extending from the wound? | | Yes
| Do you have pus in or around the wound? | | Yes
| Do you know or think you have a fever? |
 | You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to
any of the following questions. | | Yes
| Have you had mild pain and swelling with redness less
than 1 in. (2.5 cm) around a
wound for 24 hours or longer?
| | Yes
| Have you had swollen
lymph nodes near a wound for 24 hours or
longer? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
| Yes | Do you think you may
need
stitches? |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of needing stitches if you need
information to help you answer the questions below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Note: | If you answer "Yes" to any of the questions below, for the
best results you need to be seen by a health professional within 8 hours of the
injury. |
| Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to
any of the following questions. | | Yes
| Do you have a cut that is more than
0.25 in. (0.6 cm) deep and
0.75 in. (1.9 cm) long?
| | Yes
| Do you have a cut that is more than
0.25 in. (0.6 cm) and has
jagged edges? | | Yes
| Do you have a cut more than
0.25 in. (0.6 cm) deep over a
joint, and the edges of the cut open with movement? | | Yes
| Do you have a deep cut on the hand or fingers?
Note: A deep cut goes below the skin to deeper tissues,
such as fat, blood vessels, ligaments, or tendons. | | Yes
| Do you have a cut on your face, lip, or other area where
you are worried about scarring? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
| Yes | Are you unable to
clean your fishhook injury using home
treatment? |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of a wound that cannot be cleaned if you
need information to help you answer the questions below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Note: | - See
how
to clean a skin wound after a fishhook has been removed.
- If
you answer "Yes" to any of the questions below, for the best results you need
to be seen by a health professional within 8 hours of the injury.
|
| Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to
any of the following questions. | | Yes
| Do you think that your injury is too large or deep to be
cleaned at home? | | Yes
| Does your injury hurt too much to be cleaned at
home? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
| Yes | Do you know or think you need a
tetanus shot? |
When to See a DoctorSee
significance of getting a tetanus shot if you need
information to help you answer the questions below. Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms. | Note: | If you need a tetanus shot, call your doctor to arrange for
the shot as soon as possible. - Your need for a tetanus shot depends on
the seriousness of your wound and your tetanus shot history.
- Your
doctor may be able to tell you over the telephone if you need a tetanus
shot.
|
| Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to
any of the following questions. | | Yes
| Were you cut by something clean and your last tetanus
shot was longer than 10 years ago? | Note: | Something is clean if it does not have dirt, soil,
spit, or feces on it. Examples include a broken water glass, a kitchen knife,
or sewing scissors. |
| | Yes
| Were you cut by something dirty and your last tetanus
shot was longer than 5 years ago? | Note: | Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces
on it. Examples include a garden tool, a dirty nail, or a piece of glass that
has been buried in the dirt. |
| | Yes
| Are you not sure if you were cut by something clean or
dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago? | | Yes
| Are you not sure when you had your last tetanus
shot? | | Yes
| Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots (primary
vaccination series)? |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
|
If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.
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: |
|---|
|
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.
Prevention
The following tips will help you reduce your chance of a fishhook
injury:
- Fish with single hooks rather than multiple
hooks.
- Consider using a barbless hook. It is safer for you and is
better for the fish if you plan on releasing it.
- Wear shoes, a hat,
and other protective clothing, such as eyeglasses or goggles, when fishing and
when walking in areas where people fish.
- Look around before casting
to make sure no one is behind you.
- When you fish, carry a
commercial fishhook remover, a large Kelly clamp, or sharp, side-cutting
pliers.
When you go fishing, be prepared for a fishhook injury. If you are
prepared, you may be able to remove a fishhook, which may prevent a serious
injury and decrease your risk of infection.
Preparing For Your Appointment
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment
You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your
condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:
- When did you receive the fishhook
injury?
- Did you attempt to remove the fishhook? If so, what methods
did you try?
- When was your last tetanus shot?
- Do you
have any
health risks?
Related Information
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD
- Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD
- Emergency Medicine |
| Last Updated | July 6, 2007 |
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the