What may increase your risk for problems after a marine sting or scrape?

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What may increase your risk for problems after a marine sting or scrape?

Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your doctor.

Conditions

Age older than 60
A marine sting or scrape in the past
Infant, young child, or very small adult
Past serious reactions, such as:
- Allergic reaction
- Anaphylaxis
- Skin sensitivities
- Serum sickness
- Toxic reaction
- Large skin reaction
Surgery to remove the spleen

Lifestyle choices

Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
Drug abuse or withdrawal
Smoking or other tobacco use

Medicines

Blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin, heparin, and aspirin
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection

Diseases

Asthma
Cancer
Diabetes
Glaucoma
Heart disease
HIV
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Peripheral arterial disease
Seizure disorder
Sickle cell disease

Credits

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Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated	September 24, 2007

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Last updated:	September 24, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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