Welcome to the FLORIDA SURFCASTERS forums.

drawing salve , forgot about that one, did it help? I havent seen it in years. I ran a spine under my big toe nail once, bled like a stuck hog and blinded me with pain, hurt so bad it made me laugh as I didn't want to scare my kids.  I happened to pack a first aid kit that very morning.  Glad to have some tylenol along. (and a few shots of rot gut helped also)

RE: Catfish spine injuries ... one of the most excruciating pains I have experienced. Had one imbed the dorsal fin in the top of my foot one time went in about an inch but didn't break ... anyway I applied ICE as soon as I could get to some ... wrong answer ... cold made it worse ... nothing seemed to ease the pain or swelling . Foot was purple for days ... long story short ... a week after my catfish experience, there was an article in the paper about treating catfish wounds ... it suggested HOT water ... as hot as you can stand it as soon as possible ... this apparantly draws out the pizen and helps ease the pain. ... as I recall, it also suggested same treatment for stingray encounters.  Of course the hot water is a first aid, not a cure all. Foe a bad impalement you might want to consider medical treatment. Probably a good idea for anyone who frequents the  outdoors and has a higher risk of cuts, scrapes, impalements, bites, etc ... to be current on a tetnus shot and carry some basic first aid supplies.

All I seem to be able to catch recently is catfishes and sting rays ... so I probably out to invest in a thermos just to carry hot water...