Annelida

True worms are Bilateria with elongated segmented bodies which are round or flattened in cross-section. The first two body segments contain the brain, the main sense organs and the mouth, while the anus is situated in the last segment. The skin has many glands that secrete slime, which is used by the worm for locomotion and for building tubes to live in.

Bristle worms, Class Polychaeta, have a more or less well-developed pair of parapodia, supported by bristles arranged in bundles or rows, often with stouter bristles (setae) and cirri. The head usually has antennae, pals and eyes. The mouth often has a protruding probosis and chitinous jaws. The hard bristles of many polychaetes can break off, stick to the skin and cause as reaction. Rubber gloves should e worm when handling these worms, but release of the bristles in the surrounding water would also result in a generalised reaction. The most significant species locally is the Hermodice carunculata [Maltese: Busuf]. The setae of this species have been found to be on microscopic examination to be tubular, and it is suspewcted that the animal may secrete an irritant toxin through these.

Clinical Features: When picked up or disturbed, the hard bristles break off and stick in the skin. This initially results a severe itching senstation accompanied in a burning pain. Sometimes local inflammation, swelling, and slight loss of sensation follows.

Treatment: As first aid, it is essential to wash the region with lots of fresh sea-water collected from a significant distance from the distrubed worm. An antihistamine cream or in its absence an oil-based lotion applied to the dried region of the itching would help reduce the symptomatology.