Jellyfish Sting Treatment

Many of us like swimming in open waters. Who doesn't like to lazily swim in the warm ocean waters of an afternoon sun. But be careful as there are dangers lurking below the seemingly safe waters - one of it being jellyfish. Jellyfish stings can be quite painful and sometimes fatal. Read more about the jellyfish sting treatment…
Jellyfish Sting Treatment
A jellyfish is a water organism that has long tentacles and has a bell shaped body. These tentacles contain toxins and when stung by a jellyfish, there is a possibility of some kind of allergic reactions.The jellyfish creeps up on the target and stings them. If, you or your near ones are stung by a jellyfish then read the jellyfish sting treatment given below which might help you.

Tips on Jellyfish Sting Treatment
Immediate medical treatment should be taken if you are stung by a box jelly fish. Till the time you take the treatment, apply vinegar to the affected area and try to keep the stung part as much stable as possible. Before removing the sting, soak the affected area in sea water at least for 10 minutes. After that, with a pair of tweezers or with a stick, remove the tentacles. If you have gloves, you can wear them while doing this. If your are stung by the jelly fish on your arms or on your leg, then make sure that you apply pressure dressing around the sting. This dressing can be ace wrap which is generally used for a sprained ankle. Allow, the blood to flow out. This will prevent the toxin from spreading in to the other area of the body. This jellyfish sting treatment can be used specially if you are stung by a box jellyfish.

If you are stung by a different variety of jellyfish, the treatment is not much different. Soak or rinse the affected part in vinegar solution i.e. acetic acid solution for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. This will stop the discharge of the toxins. If vinegar is not available readily, then you can rinse the injury with sea water, isopropyl alcohol or Safe Sea Jellyfish After Sting® pain relief gel. Avoid the usage of fresh water for rinsing the affected part as it might allow the continuation of discharge of toxins in the other area of the body also. You can also immerse the affected part in hot water having a temperature of around 122 degree which can prove to be effective. While doing this take care that you do not burn the affected area which can make the sting more severe.

You can also apply paste of baking soda or shaving cream to the affected area. With the help of a shaving razor (even a credit card will do), shave the area in order to get rid of any adherent nematocysts. (Nematocysts are present in the tentacles.) This prevents nematocysts from activation and from spreading the toxins. After doing this, again apply vinegar or alcohol on the surface. Take care that the vinegar does not enter the eye.

If you have an eye sting, then rinse it with a commercial saline solution. An example of commercial saline solution is artificial tears. The skin around the eyes should be dabbed with a towel.

Vinegar can also cure mouth sting. But, take care that you do not use concentrated vinegar. Prepare a mixture by adding ¼ cup of vinegar to ¾ cup of water. Mouthwash with this solution and then spit it out. Take care that you do not swallow the solution. This is the easiest jellyfish sting remedy. If the sting is paining, then you can consume some pain killer tablets.

Read more on: This was all about jellyfish sting treatment. As it is said "Precaution is better than cure", take care that the jellyfish does not sting you, so that you can stay away from the pain and also continue to enjoy your swimming and fishing.

By Pradnya S
Published: 9/16/2009
 
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