St Leonards woman Kate Portas has surgery for stingray barb

A St Leonards woman has told of the “agony” she experienced when she was injured by a stingray while in the water with her dog.

St Leonards woman Kate Portas required surgery after she stepped on a stingray. Pictured is the barb that was lodged in her toe. Picture: Supplied

A St Leonards woman required surgery after she stepped on a stingray, with the mishap leaving her in agony.

Kate Portas was with her dog Rex in the water off the town on February 13, when she thought she stepped on a jellyfish.

“There was this sudden sharp pain in my foot,” the 63-year-old said.

She was up to her waist in water and wearing water shoes, which were pierced in the incident, at the time.

Ms Portas hoped while moving back to shore that the salt water would take away the “agony”.

She arrived at home, took pain relief and turned to Google which advised she put the foot in hot water.

St Leonards woman Kate Portas required surgery after she stepped on a stingray. Picture: Supplied

The pain did not go away and Ms Portas figured she may have been injured by a stingray.

Ms Portas called triple-0 and was taken to Geelong hospital by ambulance.

At the hospital her foot was soaked, but Ms Portas said she eventually discharged herself.

“I believed I was fine,” she said.

But soon, the wound was becoming infected and she went for an x-ray and ultrasound which confirmed a foreign object was lodged in her toe.

On Monday she underwent surgery at Geelong hospital to have the barb, which was about 1cm long, removed from her toe.

She is now on the mend and treating the wound at home.

“I’m fortunate I’m not hobbling, I’m very embarrassed about the whole thing,” Ms Portas said.

“My toe’s looking quite good, it’s gone back to its natural colour instead of an angry red.”

Ms Portas said she often saw stingrays at St Leonards and urged people to be aware of the creatures.

St Leonards woman Kate Portas required surgery after she stepped on a stingray. Picture: Supplied

Barwon Health emergency department director Belinda Hibble said Geelong hospital’s ED treated injuries from stingray barbs a few times each summer.

“These can occur when someone accidentally steps on a stingray in shallow coastal waters or rock pools, or occasionally when a stingray is disturbed by someone swimming or diving,” Dr Hibble said.

“Depending on the force of the injury, the barbs can cause large cuts that require hospital treatment.

“Stingray venom can cause severe pain, and occasionally results in surrounding muscle damage.”

She said it was “extremely rare” for stingray venom to cause a life-threatening reaction.

“In rare instances, stingray barbs can become lodged and cause serious infection, which may require surgery,” Dr Hibble said.

Originally published as St Leonards woman Kate Portas has surgery for stingray barb