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Caring for a fishhook injury
Here are things you can do at home to care for a fishhook injury.
- Stop the bleeding.
Wash your hands, and then put pressure on the wound for 15 minutes.
- Remove the fishhook if you can.
You may need to cut the fishing line and apply ice to numb the area. Then see if the barb is in the skin. If removing the fishhook is too painful, get medical care.
Do not try to remove a fishhook (seek medical care instead) if any of the following are true:
- The fishhook is in or near an eye.
- The fishhook is in a joint, in a bone, or deep in a muscle.
- You are concerned that removing the fishhook may damage nearby blood vessels or nerves.
- You are afraid to remove the fishhook.
- Clean the cut or puncture wound after the fishhook has been removed.
Wash your hands, and then rinse the wound for 10 to 15 minutes with mild soap and water.
- Check to see if you need stitches.
If the wound is large or deep, or it opens with movement, it probably needs stitches.
- Put on a bandage.
Cover the area if you need to protect it from getting dirty or irritated.
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