Dispensary

Health Guide

Surfing Injuries

Suspected Fractures in Arugam Bay: X-Rays, Splinting, and What Happens Next

Surfing Injuries

Suspected Fractures in Arugam Bay: X-Rays, Splinting, and What Happens Next

A hard landing, a scooter spill, or a bad step on the reef can break a bone. Here's how we tell a fracture from a sprain, arrange an X-ray, and what treatment looks like.

8 min read

Ankle and Knee Sprains: Surf and Reef-Walk Injuries in Arugam Bay

Surfing Injuries

Ankle and Knee Sprains: Surf and Reef-Walk Injuries in Arugam Bay

A rolled ankle on the reef walk or a twisted knee popping up too fast are two of the most common surf injuries we see. Here's how to tell a sprain from a break.

8 min read

Stingray and Stonefish Stings in Arugam Bay: The Hot-Water First Aid That Actually Works

Surfing Injuries

Stingray and Stonefish Stings in Arugam Bay: The Hot-Water First Aid That Actually Works

Stepped on something in the shallows? Stingray and stonefish stings are painful but treatable. Here's the hot-water first aid, and how to tell when it's an emergency.

7 min read

Head Injuries and Concussion After a Surfing Wipeout in Arugam Bay

Surfing Injuries

Head Injuries and Concussion After a Surfing Wipeout in Arugam Bay

A hard wipeout at Main Point or Peanut Farm can mean more than a knock — here's how to recognise concussion, what to do in the first hours, and when to come in.

7 min read

Surfer's Shoulder and Lower Back Pain: The Overuse Injuries We See in Arugam Bay

Surfing Injuries

Surfer's Shoulder and Lower Back Pain: The Overuse Injuries We See in Arugam Bay

Weeks of paddling and pop-ups take a toll on shoulders and lower backs. Here's why surfers get this pain in Arugam Bay, how to manage it, and when to get it checked.

7 min read

Surfer's Ear: Why Your Ears Hurt After Months of Surfing

Surfing Injuries

Surfer's Ear: Why Your Ears Hurt After Months of Surfing

Repeated cold-water exposure causes bone growth in the ear canal. Here's what surfer's ear is, how to prevent it, and what to do if you have it.

5 min read

Sea Urchin Spines: Removal, Aftercare, and When to See a Doctor

Surfing Injuries

Sea Urchin Spines: Removal, Aftercare, and When to See a Doctor

Stepped on a sea urchin? Here's how to remove the spines safely, when home removal won't work, and when to come in.

5 min read

Jellyfish Stings on Sri Lanka's East Coast: First Aid That Actually Works

Surfing Injuries

Jellyfish Stings on Sri Lanka's East Coast: First Aid That Actually Works

Most of what you've heard about treating jellyfish stings is wrong. Here's what to do in Arugam Bay, with treatment based on the species you're likely to encounter.

5 min read

Reef Cuts: How to Treat Them and Why Infection Is the Real Danger

Surfing Injuries

Reef Cuts: How to Treat Them and Why Infection Is the Real Danger

Coral and reef cuts get infected fast in tropical water. Here's how to clean a reef cut properly and recognise when you need stitches or antibiotics.

6 min read