Jellyfish Stings - Types, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Precautions

What Are Jellyfish Stings?

Jellyfish is a sea animal that has been found in the oceans for millions of years. They are seen across various oceans. Jellyfish are in different variants. Some jellyfish look small, while others are large and brighter in color. The bigger ones have tentacles lying below them. These tentacles are called the sting. When the stings of the jellyfish hit an animal or person, the jellyfish starts releasing a poisonous venom that is known to paralyze their targets. In general, the jellyfish do not go in search of the victim. The majority of jellyfish stings happen when an animal or human being accidentally touches the jellyfish. Some of the jellyfish stings are not harmful and require only first aid treatment. The stings of box jellyfish are life-threatening. These box jellyfishes are seen in the oceans of the central Pacific, India, and the Philippines.

What Are the Types of Harmful Jellyfish?

Some of the harmful jellyfishes are:

• Portuguese Man O’ War - It is also known as bluebottle jellyfish. It is known to survive in the warmer areas of the sea. It contains a purplish or blue-colored gas filled in the bubbles that help in keeping the fish floating in the water.

• Sea Nettle - These jellyfishes are known to occur both in cool and warm water. They are found in higher numbers in the coastal areas of the United States of America.

• Box Jellyfish - This is the most harmful type. It can cause severe pain in the individual. They are found in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

• Lion's Mane Jellyfish - They are the largest existing jellyfish in the world. Their body is more than three feet. They are found in the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.

What Are the Symptoms Experienced by a Person With Jellyfish Stings?

The symptoms experienced by the person with jellyfish stings are:

• Brown, purplish, or red tracks on the skin — a "print" of the tentacles' contact with your skin.

• Prickling, stinging pain, and burning.

• Swelling.

• Throbbing pain that radiates up the arm or the leg.

• Itching.

In severe cases, the following signs and symptoms are noticed.

• Stomach pain.

• Vomiting and nausea.

• Spasms or muscle pain.

• Headache.

• Drowsiness, weakness, confusion, and fainting.

• Heart problems.

• Difficulty in breathing.

How Does a Jellyfish Sting Affect a Person?

The tentacles of the jellyfish have small microscopic stingers. Each stinger is made up of a small bulb that can hold the venom in the sharp-tipped tube. Jellyfish make use of this venom as a protective barrier against predators. When a person slightly brushes against these stingers, the stings from the jellyfish might leave many tiny stingers called nematocysts in the layers of the skin. The stingers that are released inside the body keep releasing the poisonous venom continuously.

Who Is at the Risk of Jellyfish Stings?

• Scuba divers who perform scuba diving as an occupation.

• Diving or swimming in areas which are having a high prevalence of jellyfish.

• Sunbathing or playing when the jellyfish are found on the seashore.

• The period when jellyfish occur in huge numbers is known as jellyfish bloom. Swimming or diving during this period can put one at the risk of a jellyfish sting.

• People having breathing disorders.

What Are the Complications of Jellyfish Stings?

• Irukandji Syndrome - This syndrome can cause stomach pain along with chest pain. Heart problems and high blood pressure is also noted in a patient with Irukandji syndrome.

• A Delayed Hypersensitivity Reaction - This might cause blisters and rashes in addition to any other type of irritations in the skin that might occur even after two weeks.

How Is the Jellyfish Sting Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of jellyfish sting does not require any special examination from a doctor. If you plan to visit a doctor, they might be able to identify the jellyfish stings by visual examination.

What Are the Treatment Options for Jellyfish Stings?

The treatment for jellyfish stings mainly aims to relieve the pain and treat the allergic reactions if it is present.

• Immediate Treatment: The immediate treatment involves treating the site of jellyfish stings with hot or saltwater rinse. Vinegar is also known to be helpful. Vinegar is a weak acid that will prevent the stingers from producing more poisonous venom. You can also make use of cool freshwater. The seawater is helpful in preventing the additional release of venom. In some reports, seawater is known to be harmful, so it could be chosen as the last option. Giving ice packs are known to be beneficial. If an ice pack is not available, then you can choose hot water as an alternative.

• Home Remedies: It is known that baking soda paste is an effective home remedy. It helps in providing a soothing effect on the skin.

• Medications: If the person is suffering from severe pain, over-the-counter medications can be a prominent relief. The topical application of Lidocaine is known to provide sufficient relief. To reduce the effects of the sting, Ibuprofen is a recommended painkiller. If you are experiencing allergic reactions such as hives, you can use over-the-counter creams like an antihistamine. You can also get help from oral corticosteroids.

What Are the Precautions to Be Followed to Prevent a Jellyfish Sting?

By following a few tips given below it is possible to avoid jellyfish stings. They are:

• You are advised to wear a protective suit. A wet suit or any other protective wear can serve as a barrier from jellyfish stings. Stinger suits are made up of very thin and high-quality fabric. These are recommended for usage for swimming in shallow water.

• Contact the local health departments and enquire about the risk of jellyfish. If it is jellyfish season, then you might avoid going to the waters.

• Get help from locals and officials while swimming in coastal waters.

You are advised to avoid the following.

• Application of meat tenderizer.

• Application of ammonia or alcohol.

• Applying a pressure bandage.

• Scraping out a stinger.

• Rinsing with human urine.

• Cleaning or rubbing with a towel.

Conclusion:

Being aware and careful of the sea creatures could help you enjoy your holiday and prevent such emergencies. Follow the preventive measures to make yourself safe from jellyfish stings. Even if you happen to have one, do not panic; practice the home remedies until you can schedule a physician’s appointment. You could also consult our specialists online to get your condition assessed and for treatment options.