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Seal finger, also known as sealer's finger and spekkfinger (from the Norwegian for "blubber"), [2] is an infection that afflicts the fingers of seal hunters and other people who handle seals, as a result of bites or contact with exposed seal bones; [citation needed] it has also been contracted by exposure to untreated seal pelts.
The animals' teeth are coated in necrotic bacteria which could result in a "seal finger" infection. 'Nasty' blood infection warning if bitten by seal Skip to main content
Swimmers have been warned to give seals their distance amid fears of a “seal finger” infection if bitten by the aquatic mammals that are gathering in their hundreds around the UK coastline.
The group said approaching the animals put both people and the seal at risk. It said: "Seals use the beach to rest, often between tides and in most cases they just need to be left to rest."
The seal between the nail and finger acts as a physical barrier to prevent infection, however hyper-hydration or destruction of the epidermis can impair the barrier, allowing the bacteria to colonise. [medical citation needed] The nail turns green due to the bacteria secreting pigments such as pyocyanin [3] [4] and pyoverdin. [9]
In David Thomson's book The People of the Sea, which chronicles the extensive legends surrounding the Grey Seal within the folklore of rural Scottish and Irish communities, it is the children of male selkies and human women that have webbed toes and fingers. When the webbing is cut, a rough and rigid growth takes its place.
Jul. 15—Federal wildlife officials have determined the death of Mele the Hawaiian monk seal a few months ago was likely caused by drowning. Although National Oceanic and Atmospheric ...
Phocomelia is a congenital condition that involves malformations of human arms and legs which result in a flipper-like appendage. [1] [2] A prominent cause of phocomelia is the mother being prescribed the use of the drug thalidomide during pregnancy; however, the causes of most cases are to be determined.