JELLYFISH Stings
There are two groups of stinging jellyfish found in coastal waters of North America. The Portuguese man-a/-war of the genus Physalia, is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters. This creature is purple or violet in color and pos~esses a gas-filled float. In fact not a true jellyfish, its tentacles may be as long as 12 meters (40 feet). The sea nettle, of the genus Chrysaora, is found in tropical and northern temperate waters. Common along the Atlantic coast, the sea nettle's tentacles may be 1.2 meters (4 feet) long, and its color varies from white to red.
The venom apparatus of these creatures is contained in nematocysts or stinging cells. (Nematocysts are also characteristic of all species of corals and sea anemones.) The nematocyst consists of a long, thready tube coiled within a capsule and is filled with venom. On the outer surface of the capsule is a trigger-like fiber. Stimulation of this fiber causes the capsule to pop open and the thread tube to spring forth-sort of a nightmare version of a jackin-the-box. The tip penetrates the victim's skin and injects its venom.
Jellyfish stings produce immediate, burning pain. Small bumps or wheals develop rapidly, either in lines or scattered over the skin. Usually, the skin around the bumps is bright red. Pain is localized but may be severe. The bumps normally disappear in a few hours but sometimes proceed to swelling, blistering and necrosis. Severe or widespread stings can result in nausea, vomiting, weakness, headache, muscle spasms, and difficult breathing. Victims who are allergic to jellyfish venom may. suffer anaphylactic reactions and death.
This injury produced intense pain and profuse tearing. Vision was impaired temporarily, but the symptoms cleared up within a half hour.
Treatment for JELLYFISH Stings
Jellyfish stings should be treated as follows:
1. Do not apply fresh water or rub the skin with sand. Rinse the area gently with-sea water.
2. Any tentacles remaining on the skin should be gently lifted off, preferably with gloves. If this cannot be done, alcohol, as in step 3, may be applied to the tentacles. If none is available, dry sand, salt, or sugar can be sprinkled liberally on the tentacles and scraped off after fifteen to twenty minutes. These substances inactivate the nematocysts.
3. Apply alcohol of any type to the sting site. Rubbing alcohol, liquor, cologne, or toilet water will do. This will inactivate any loose nematocysts remaining on the skin.
4. After the alcohol has been applied, a basic or alkaline substance such as a mixture of baking soda and sea water, diluted ammonia, flour, or shaving cream is used. Dry sand may be used if powders are not available.
5. The mixture is scraped off with a knife and the area is washed again. Soothing creams, containing cortisone or its derivatives, may be applied.
6. Antihistamines may be helpful for severe stings, itching, or allergic reactions. Anaphylactic reactions are treated in the usual manner (see the discussion on insect sting reactions). The victim should be transported to a physician or medical facility, if necessary.
The venom apparatus of these creatures is contained in nematocysts or stinging cells. (Nematocysts are also characteristic of all species of corals and sea anemones.) The nematocyst consists of a long, thready tube coiled within a capsule and is filled with venom. On the outer surface of the capsule is a trigger-like fiber. Stimulation of this fiber causes the capsule to pop open and the thread tube to spring forth-sort of a nightmare version of a jackin-the-box. The tip penetrates the victim's skin and injects its venom.
Jellyfish stings produce immediate, burning pain. Small bumps or wheals develop rapidly, either in lines or scattered over the skin. Usually, the skin around the bumps is bright red. Pain is localized but may be severe. The bumps normally disappear in a few hours but sometimes proceed to swelling, blistering and necrosis. Severe or widespread stings can result in nausea, vomiting, weakness, headache, muscle spasms, and difficult breathing. Victims who are allergic to jellyfish venom may. suffer anaphylactic reactions and death.
This injury produced intense pain and profuse tearing. Vision was impaired temporarily, but the symptoms cleared up within a half hour.
Treatment for JELLYFISH Stings
Jellyfish stings should be treated as follows:
1. Do not apply fresh water or rub the skin with sand. Rinse the area gently with-sea water.
2. Any tentacles remaining on the skin should be gently lifted off, preferably with gloves. If this cannot be done, alcohol, as in step 3, may be applied to the tentacles. If none is available, dry sand, salt, or sugar can be sprinkled liberally on the tentacles and scraped off after fifteen to twenty minutes. These substances inactivate the nematocysts.
3. Apply alcohol of any type to the sting site. Rubbing alcohol, liquor, cologne, or toilet water will do. This will inactivate any loose nematocysts remaining on the skin.
4. After the alcohol has been applied, a basic or alkaline substance such as a mixture of baking soda and sea water, diluted ammonia, flour, or shaving cream is used. Dry sand may be used if powders are not available.
5. The mixture is scraped off with a knife and the area is washed again. Soothing creams, containing cortisone or its derivatives, may be applied.
6. Antihistamines may be helpful for severe stings, itching, or allergic reactions. Anaphylactic reactions are treated in the usual manner (see the discussion on insect sting reactions). The victim should be transported to a physician or medical facility, if necessary.
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