Catfish Spine Sting Forces Emergency Surgery for Thai Woman
A Thai woman needed emergency surgery after a catfish spine pierced her finger while preparing fish, causing a severe infection that spread up her arm to her shoulder. The incident, shared widely on Facebook, has prompted public warnings about the venom and bacteria in catfish spines that can cause tissue necrosis and life-threatening infections. Doctors hospitalized her for seven days as the infection progressed rapidly from a seemingly minor puncture wound.
A Facebook user named Phraya Nattharatch posted photos of his mother's fingertip turning black after being stabbed by a catfish spine. The mother had bought two fish — a catfish and a mihrang — and both spines punctured her while cleaning them. She saw a doctor that night but thought it was minor. By Monday, November 9, severe pain and swelling forced a return visit; the infection had spread from her purple fingertip up to her shoulder, requiring immediate surgery and a seven-day hospital stay. The post went viral, with the Drama-addict page sharing it to warn that catfish spines carry venom and dangerous bacteria that can cause tissue death and severe infection. The page explained that 'pla hrang' or 'pla lang' are local names for marine catfish, which have venom glands in their spines. When a person is stung, venom enters directly and kills tissue, turning it black as seen in the photos. Additionally, aggressive bacteria live in the spines and mouths of marine catfish, causing severe infections that lead to further tissue necrosis — a double threat.
