The Ocean's Sting: Jellyfish

by Angel Lynn Diamond | More from this Blogger

11 Apr 2009 02:43 PM

The summer is filled with amazing activities. Picnics, playgrounds, boating, outdoor barbecues, swimming and more. It is a great chance to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature. However, when dealing with nature there are some hazards mixed into the fun that we need to be careful of.

A trip to the ocean will probably be on one of your family's destination vacation spots sometime in your life. Maybe you live close by the ocean and are a frequent visitor. When you are enjoying the beauty of the sand and surf this is also a typical spot where danger is right around the corner. One of those dangers is a jellyfish sting.

The jellyfish is part of marine life that inhabits the ocean. They move about the water with their tentacles behind them. They do not usually attack, but lie in wait and whatever comes near them is stung. The incidence of a jellyfish sting is relatively common. However, some stings will only cause the skin to become irritated whereas other stings from a jellyfish will cause death from their poison.

When you are in the ocean probably the best thing that you can do for yourself to avoid a possible jellyfish sting is to keep your distance from them. There is also a product that claims to be a protective block against the sting of a jellyfish.

If a jellyfish stings you, you will know it. The symptoms of a jellyfish sting are redness of the skin, pain, blisters, burning, swelling, a puncture or laceration in the skin, hives, and bleeding. Other symptoms that can occur although are unusual are vomiting, diarrhea, problems with breathing, sweating, and weakness. If symptoms are not too severe immediately remove any dirt from the area and rinse with water. You should see your doctor as soon as possible following a jellyfish sting. Your physician may want you to have a course of antibiotics and/or receive a tetanus booster shot if you have not had a recent vaccination. If symptoms are more severe and you have difficulty breathing you should call 911 and be transported to the hospital for an evaluation.

Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, and health.

Learn more about Angel Lynn Diamond

I am a mom to my precious one and only, a nurse in a heartwarming adult living facility, and a freelance writer.

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Cat-Mom-of-3 (180) 15 Apr 2009 08:05 PM

We live at the beach and spend about 5 days a week at the shore and in the ocean during the warmest months. Two of my three children have been stung by jellyfish. Our local lifeguards spray a mixture of vinegar and water on the sting area and send the kids on their way, not really that big of a deal! We are usually more concerned about the stingrays and so we shuffle our feet when we enter the water to avoid them.

Angel Lynn Diamond (224) 16 Apr 2009 01:17 AM

Thank you Cat! Yes, I have been told that vinegar and water can help draw the venom out. Also, warm to hot water applied to the area can be helpful. I believe a fatal sting is pretty uncommon.

saintoz (6) 28 Apr 2009 08:10 PM

Thanks for alerting others to the potential dangers of jellyfish Angel. Important to note that there are hundreds of different jellyfish and some are lethal including the box jellyfish present in Hawaii, Caribbean, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Mauritius and more. Vinegar actually stops the injection of venom and is critical to immediately apply undiluted (water is dangerous in this instance) and perform CPR if necessary - death usually occurs at 3 minutes after sting. There is a different approach to blue bottles and others in temperate climates. Warm water after ensuring life is secure can relieve pain. Fatalities are not common though it happens and knowing exactly what to do just in case is important. My 4 yo son was stung by a box jellyfish recently in Thailand, now I know better.