Boiling Stingers

[Just Toby]

I don't stab myself with them either lol. I have run my finger the wrong way up the barbs and I think this may cause the tingle...I am not 100% convinced it is not in my mind but it could vary with ray, our skin type, ph of our skin, blood type etc.

Either way a few have reported the tingle

 

[hereticlosmorte]

i think it's honestly more of a headgame when feeling the tingles. just the fact that you knew there was poison on them gives them that "danger sense".

i've picked them up right out of the tank after they've been shed, no tingles.

 

[bcarlos]

I've kept all mine, except one I gave to my nephew. I don't go crazy, just rinse under hot water for a few seconds. It'll take off most of the black and then sure, I have no qualms about handling the stinger and have never felt even a tingle.

X2

 

[motoro magic]

I have handled mine from the end it leaves the rays tail with no ill effects. I agree handling them whilst having an open wound could be asking for trouble but either way please play it safe and keep handling to a minimum. Have you heard the saying ( he who plays with fire gets burned ).

 

[jwolf]

so true

 

[FireMedic]

Old toothbrush + hydrogen peroxide (or) white vinegar = Clean.

The oxidizing and antiseptic properties of these two fluids with the addition or some scrubbing with an old toothbrush is really all you need to "de-tox" the shed spines.

After this the only threat left is the puncture hazard. That is remedied with common sense.

Respectfully,
FireMedic.

 

[lincolngoh]

I've used a dried one to pick my teeth. No side effects.

 

[rup_pilot]

I put them in a cup filled with really hot water from the faucet and leave it in there for about 10 minutes and repeat about 2 more times. I then brush the black stuff off and dry it. No problem so far.

 

[Zoodiver]

Hi all,

I've read on here, that if you boil a discarded stinger, the process renders the stinger harmless in regards to the toxins.
My questions would be:
1) I've got some that are over a year old, would boiling them still work?
2) How long do you need to boil them for?
3) All but one of them are covered in black. Will boiling make these white?

Thank you

Pat

Yes, boiling them would still work. But after a year, the toxin is no longer present. Heat them up until they are white, yes the black ones will turn white. The 'black' you see is the integumentary sheath that carries the venom. It's a layer of skin that covers the barb. If that sheath is gone, there is no toxin. (This applies to barbs on the rays as well.)

Even after boiling them i would still handle them with care. Not enough is known about the toxins from a rays spine so please be careful. I keep my rays spines in a plastic container with a tight fitting lid and out the way of little hands. Hope this helps.

We actually know a lot about the venom. Keeping them in something is a great idea. I keep of mine stacked together by species.

Old toothbrush + hydrogen peroxide (or) white vinegar = Clean.
The oxidizing and antiseptic properties of these two fluids with the addition or some scrubbing with an old toothbrush is really all you need to "de-tox" the shed spines.
After this the only threat left is the puncture hazard. That is remedied with common sense.

Respectfully,
FireMedic.

^^This is a great way to do it.



And anyone claiming they feel 'tingling' is making it up in their head. Ray venom needs to enter your blood stream to work. It's not topical, and won't soak through your skin just by touching the barb/sheath.