Overview

Jellyfish are aquatic invertebrates which will sting people that inherit direct contact with them. The stingers, which are typically located on the ends of the jellyfish tentacles, contain poisons that are often toxic to humans.

Although most jellyfish aren't especially dangerous to people, some are extremely toxic.

Portuguese man-of-war isn't actually a jellyfish but rather a colony of small, predatory animals (hydrozoan). However, thanks to their similarity with jellyfish, this information applies to Portuguese man-of-war stings also .

First Aid Guide

The rescuer should lookout to avoid injury by wearing gloves and protective clothing or any readily available barrier.

1)     Remove the affected individual from the water.

2)     Wipe stingers or tentacles off with a towel.

3)     Wash the affected area with salt water.

Some self-care measures will help some jellyfish stings but will cause an adverse reaction in other types. For that reason, the following should be avoided without advice from a medial professional.

Ø  DO NOT wash or soak the affected area with fresh water if the injury occurred in salt water.

Ø  DO NOT apply vinegar, urine, alcohol, or meat tenderizer/water solution to the affected area.

Ø  DO NOT rub the affected area.

Ø  DO NOT raise the affected area above the level of the heart.

Ø  DO NOT give the person medication.

Who's at risk?

Stings from jellyfish most frequently occur in salt water, while swimming or wading, when an individual accidentally comes into contact with the jellyfish. Stings from some jellyfish may also occur if a person comes into contact with jellyfish that have washed onto the beach or detached tentacles in the water. Certain jellyfish tentacles that became detached are still capable of causing stings for two weeks or more. Jellyfish stings sometimes occur in water also.

Signs and Symptoms

A jellyfish itself consists of a bell with suspended tentacles. They open and shut their bell-like body to drift and slowly swim within the water. The sting of a jellyfish may appear swollen, red, and bleeding. The affected area may burn and feel painful. Additionally, the person who has been stung by a jellyfish may experience the following:

Ø  Nausea or vomiting

Ø  Paralysis

Ø  Sweating

Ø  Weakness

Ø  Difficulty breathing

Ø  Cramps

Ø  Diarrhea

Ø  Pain in unaffected areas, such as the groin or armpit

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek medical care if the person is having difficulty breathing, is bleeding profusely, or other body-wide (generalized) symptoms are occurring, such as the following:

Ø  Nausea or vomiting

Ø  Paralysis

Ø  Sweating

Ø  Weakness

Ø  Cramps

Ø  Diarrhea

Ø  There is pain in an area not directly affected by the jellyfish sting, such as the groin or armpit

Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe

In the case of some jellyfish stings, such as a sting from the box jellyfish of Australia, an antivenin may be necessary to treat the symptoms of anaphylactic shock.

The treatment may vary counting on the sort of jellyfish sting. General treatment measures for most jellyfish stings are as follows:

Ø  Immerse the sting area in hot water until pain is relieved.

Ø  Remove tentacles (if still present) with forceps.

Ø  Remove stingers (nematocysts) with shaving cream and a razor.

Ø  Administer pain reliever and treat itching.

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