The Health Blog

Scuba divers are prone to get jellyfish stings. Jellyfishes are aquatic animals that can cause a “sting” when they come into direct contact with humans or other animals. The stingers, which are called nematocysts, are usually located at the ends of the tentacles and contain poisons that can be toxic to humans.

Symptoms of jellyfish stings include skin reactions such as skin eruptions, which appear as a painful, raised, red rash that itches, and usually at the area of skin that came into direct contact with the jellyfish. Rarely, Rsevere jellyfish stings can cause weakness, headaches, vomiting, muscle spasms, fevers and chills, and difficulty with breathing, and even shock.

What to do when you are or see a victim of jellyfish stings?

1. If you are the rescuer, protect yourself from contact with the jellyfish or jellyfish tentacles. Consider protective clothing and gloves. Remove the victim from the water.

2. Rinse the affected area with salt water or don’t rinse it at all. Salt deactivate the remaining stingers. Other preferred method is washing the affected area with 5% acetic acid (white vinegar). Do not rinse the involved area of skin with fresh water, because it will further activate nematocysts and worsen the reaction.

3. Remove any tentacles still in contact with the victim, but be sure you to use protective gloves and forceps.

4. Immobilize the area that was poisoned to prevent further spread.

5. Use over the counter drugs such as Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) or Ibuprofen, for pain relief.

6. If severe reactions occur, seek emergency care.