Photo from health.cleveland.org
Jellyfish stings are a rather typical hazard for persons who swim, wade, or dive in seawater. The jellyfish body's lengthy tentacles can inject you with venom from thousands of microscopic barbed stingers.
The severity of jellyfish stings varies widely. They frequently cause instant discomfort and red, irritated markings on the skin. Some jellyfish stings can cause widespread (systemic) sickness. In rare situations, jellyfish stings can be fatal.
The majority of jellyfish stings improve with home therapy. Severe responses necessitate immediate medical attention.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF JELLYFISH?
While many jellyfish species are quite safe to humans, some can cause significant pain and are more likely to produce a systemic reaction. These jellyfish produce more serious issues in humans:
- Box jellyfish: Box jellyfish can cause excruciating agony. Although rare, life-threatening reactions are more common with this variety. The more deadly box jellyfish species live in the warm seas of the Pacific and Indian oceans.
- Portuguese man-of-war: Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish, also known as bluebottle jellyfish, prefer warmer seas. This variety has a blue or purplish gas-filled bubble that works as a sail and keeps it aloft on the water.
- Sea nettle: Sea nettles are found along the northeast coast of the United States and are numerous in the Chesapeake Bay. They are found in both warm and cool seawaters.
- Lion's mane jellyfish: With a body diameter of more than 3 feet, these are the world's largest jellyfish (1 meter). They are more frequent in the cooler northern Pacific and Atlantic waters.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF JELLYFISH STINGS?
Jellyfish stings commonly cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Pain that burns, prickles, and stings
- Tracks on the skin that are red, brown, or purplish – a "print" of the tentacles' touch with your skin.
- Itching
- Swelling
- Throbbing discomfort radiating up a leg or arm
Severe jellyfish stings can have a wide range of effects on the body. These reactions might occur immediately or several hours after the stings. The following are signs and symptoms of severe jellyfish stings:
- Vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain
- Headache
- Muscle spasms or pain
- Weakness, sleepiness, fainting, and perplexity
- Breathing difficulties
- Heart issues
The severity of your reaction is determined by:
- The jellyfish's species and size
- Your age, size, and health, with children and the elderly being more vulnerable to severe reactions.
- How long you were exposed to the stingers
- What portion of your skin is affected
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF JELLYFISH STINGS?
Tentacles of jellyfish have small barbed stingers. Each stinger has a venomous bulb and a coiled, sharp-tipped tube. The venom is used by the jellyfish to protect itself and to kill prey.
Tiny triggers on the tentacle's surface release the stingers when you brush across it. The tube enters the skin and injects venom. It has a quick effect on the region of touch and may reach the bloodstream.
If touched, jellyfish that have washed ashore on a beach may still unleash dangerous stingers.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR JELLYFISH STINGS?
The following conditions increase your chances of being stung by jellyfish:
- Swimming when there are a lot of jellyfish around (a jellyfish bloom)
- Swimming or diving in jellyfish zones without appropriate safety gear
- Playing or sunbathing on a beach where jellyfish have washed up
- Swimming in an area known for its abundance of jellyfish
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF JELLYFISH STINGS?
A jellyfish sting can result in the following complications:
- One to two weeks after the sting, a delayed hypersensitivity reaction occurs, resulting in blisters, dermatitis, or other skin irritations.
- Irukandji syndrome is characterized by chest and stomach pain, high blood pressure, and heart issues.
HOW IS JELLYFISH STING DIAGNOSED?
A jellyfish sting usually does not necessitate a visit to the doctor. If you go to the doctor, he or she will be able to diagnose your injuries just by looking at it.
Treatment is sometimes determined by the type of jellyfish that produced the sting. Your doctor may take stinging samples.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR JELLYFISH STINGS?
Jellyfish therapy may entail both first-aid and medical treatment, depending on the species of jellyfish, the intensity of the sting, and your reaction to it.
First-aid treatment
The majority of jellyfish stings can be treated as follows:
- Using delicate tweezers, carefully pluck visible tentacles.
- Soak the skin in hot water for a few minutes. Use water that is 110 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit (43 to 45 C). If a thermometer is not available, test the water on an unharmed person's hand or elbow; it should feel warm but not scalding. For 20 to 45 minutes, soak or shower the afflicted skin.
Steps to avoid
These actions are either ineffective or unproven:
- Scraping stingers
- Using seawater to rinse
- Using human pee to rinse
- Using fresh water to rinse
- Using a beef tenderizer
- Making use of alcohol, ethanol, or ammonia
- Using a cloth to rub
- The use of pressure bandages
Medical treatment
- Emergency treatment: Someone who has a severe reaction to a jellyfish sting may require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), life support, or antivenin medicine if the sting is from a box jellyfish.
- Oral medication: Oral antihistamines or corticosteroids can be used to treat a rash or other skin reaction caused by delayed hypersensitivity. You may also be given pain relievers orally.
- Eye flushing: A jellyfish sting on or near the eye necessitates prompt medical attention for pain relief and proper eye flushing. You will almost certainly be seen by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist).
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT A JELLYFISH STING?
You can avoid jellyfish stings by following these guidelines:
- Put on a protective suit: Wear a wet suit or other protective clothes when swimming or diving in regions where jellyfish stings are probable. Divers can buy protective "skin suits" or "stinger suits" made of thin, high-tech fabric from dive shops. Consider wearing protective footwear if you're going to be wading in shallow water.
- Learn more about the conditions: Before swimming or diving in coastal waters, consult with lifeguards, local people, or officials from a local health authority, especially in locations where jellyfish are widespread.
- During the jellyfish season, stay away from the water: When the amount of jellyfish is excessive, stay out of the water.