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I occasionally hike in the Sahyadri ranges in Maharashtra (India). During the rainy season there are a lot of crabs on the trail. In case the crab bites, what are the first aid steps that can be taken?

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    I think you mean "pinch", you want first aid treatment for a crab pinch. It's hard to get bit by an animal that wears its teeth inside it's stomach.
    – ShemSeger
    Oct 25, 2017 at 21:26
  • Crabs have teeth in their stomach!? I'm going to have to give this a google lol
    – Nate W
    Oct 27, 2017 at 16:20
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    @NateWengert Ya, they have what's called a gastric mill, it's pretty weird.
    – ShemSeger
    Oct 30, 2017 at 2:27

2 Answers 2

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  • First control the bleeding with gauze or a cloth and light pressure
    Elevate the foot
  • Clean with soap and water
  • Apply an antiseptic
    You can get single packs
  • Bandage/bandaid(plaster) if necessary

If they latch onto a toe they could break or sprain it. If so you can tape two toes together.

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    Yup. Crabs are not poisonous (as far as I know?), so it's a lot like any other dirty wound (a dog bite, a rusty nail wound...)
    – Monster
    Oct 25, 2017 at 15:24
  • Come on down vote what is the problem?
    – paparazzo
    Oct 26, 2017 at 2:02
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    I don't understand a down vote either. It would be great if the person would explain it, or if someone else might explain what they think could have happened. Thanks! Oct 27, 2017 at 0:21
  • Only edit I would make is Bandage/Bandaid(plaster) if necessary :)
    – Aravona
    Oct 27, 2017 at 15:34
  • @Aravona Plaster in the field? Are you assuming a crab could crush a foot?
    – paparazzo
    Oct 27, 2017 at 16:16
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Crabs are scavengers, so their pincers are always to be considered evil sources of infection. You can use fluoride (if you act promptly); find the mouthwash with the highest fluoride content, and force it into a cut/wound with a syringe. Needle not required. After 5 minutes, rinse the wound with sterilized water and apply a proper bandage. If you have not brought mouthwash, you can use toothpaste, which can be easily diluted with sterilized water.

Be aware that fluoride is not intended for use inside wounds, so the wound must be rinsed with water.

Also, liquor with >=35-40% alcohol concentration will kill bacteria quite well.

India’s rural areas are notorious for their lack of proper and prompt healthcare, so you’d be wise to pack blisters with a wide-spectrum antibiotic as well. Similar to the fluoride, you can create a fast-acting antibacterial solution by extracting the powder from the capsules, mixing them with room-temperature sterilized water, and applying a thin paste to the cut/wound - then wrap a bandage around it. Simply eating a capsule will not bring a high enough concentration of antiobiotic to the wound.

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