An octopus bite usually looks like two puncture wounds. If the animal injects venom, the pain is similar to that of a bee sting, with tingling or pulsating sensation around the wound. Pain may radiate to the entire arm or leg. Venomous octopus wounds can bleed profusely. Redness and swelling of the affected area is common.
Some victims experience intense itching around the wound.
Unless a person is allergic to it, venom produced by Hawaii's octopuses is not life-threatening. I don't have a clue. Susan Scott is a marine science writer and author of three books about Hawaii's environment. Her Ocean Watch column appears Monday in the Star-Bulletin.