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Jellyfish Stings
Medical Treatment
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If you are stung by a box jellyfish, seek
medical help immediately. While you are waiting for medical help, flood the
area with vinegar until medical help is available and keep as still as
possible. If you are not close to medical care, soak the area and tentacles
for 10 minutes or more, before attempting to remove them. If the sting is on
the arms or legs, you can place a pressure dressing (like an ACE wrap used for
a sprained ankle) around the sting. Be careful that you do not stop blood
flow - the fingers and toes should always stay pink. This will help to slow
down the spread of the toxin.
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For other jellyfish stings, soak or rinse
the area in vinegar (acetic acid) for 15-30 minutes to stop the nematocysts
from releasing their toxins. If you do not have vinegar available, rinse in
sea water,70% isopropyl alcohol, or Safe Sea Jellyfish After Sting® pain
relief gel. Do not use fresh water. Fresh water will cause the nematocysts
to continue to release their toxin. For the same reason, do not rub the area,
apply ice or hot water.
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Remove tentacles with a stick or a pair of
tweezers. Wear gloves if you have them available.
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Apply shaving cream or a paste of baking
soda to the area. Shave the area with a razor or credit card to remove any
adherent nematocysts. Then reapply vinegar or alcohol. The shaving cream or
paste prevents nematocysts that have not been activated from releasing their
toxin during removal with the razor.
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Eye stings should be rinsed with a
commercial saline solution like Artifical Tears; dab the skin around the eyes
with a towel that has been soaked in vinegar. Do not place vinegar directly
in the eyes.
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Mouth stings should be treated with 1/4
strength vinegar. Mix ¼ cup of vinegar with ¾ cup of water. Gargle and spit
out the solution. Do not drink or swallow the solution.
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For pain, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) 325
mg 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours for pain; or Ibuprofen (Motrin) or Aleve every
8 hours for pain.
- CPR may be
necessary for all stings if the person stops breathing and/or no longer has a
pulse.
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First Aid Case List -
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