Stingray Barbs - What Makes Them So Dangerous

When making stingray-resistant booties like Dragon Skin ® Achilles Heels, one of the things you run into are stingray barbs – and lots of them. We’ve tested with dozens of real stingray barbs and learned from experts on what makes a stingray’s barb so dangerous. Between venom and serrated edges, a stingray barb is meant to scare away predators but, inevitably, sometimes humans are on the receiving end of a sting.

Stingray barbs have serrated edges leading up to a pointed tip, like an arrowhead. You can see how the serrated edges also have a backwards curve to them, like a fishing hook. This makes the stingray barb more likely to be retained in the skin upon entry, and make the wound worse when the barb is removed. These small edges can also break off inside the wound, increasing the risk of infection. If you’re ever stung by a stingray, removing the barb should be a top priority. If any pieces stay behind, you should go see a doctor to help you remove them. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if all the pieces have been removed, so if you have a particularly messy wound or any other reason for doubt, we'd recommend going to see a professional.

A stingray's barb is encased in a thin skin pouch and sits flush against the stingrays’ tail, typically near the base. This pouch contains the stingray's venom.

When a stingray strikes, it flexes its tail, causing the barb to stick up and into the perceived threat. This also breaks the pouch around the barb, releasing it's venom into the unlucky victim.

The barb also has grooves, which help channel the venom into the stingray's target. Once it gets through the skin, this venom typically causes an excruciating, long-lasting pain. It may seem dramatic, but this is frequently described as "the worst pain I've ever felt" and sometimes even "worse than childbirth". The first line of treatment is usually to soak the wound in hot water, as hot as the victim can handle. This typically reduces the pain in a couple hours. Strangely, we still don't fully know why this works. Many marine venoms are deactivated when heated above 50 C (122 F), but this is too hot for most people to tolerate. In practice, the hot water rarely reaches above 115 F. It's possible that the venom is affected even at the lower temperature, or it may have something to do with the way our nervous system processes the pain and the heat.

In any case, lifeguards on the beach usually have kits to help you get your wound into hot water quickly. Some beachgoers also keep a container and hot packs in their cars for self-treatment in a pinch, but you should be careful not to burn yourself if you do this.

Stingrays aren’t out to get humans. They sting in self-defense when we accidentally step on them, kick them, or otherwise startle them in their own home. Practicing safe beach habits is key to minimizing your chances of getting stung. Learn more in our article How to Avoid Getting Stung by Stingrays for best practices when at the beach, or read about our stingray-resistant booties.