2023-05-27 08:10:17
Thanks to Dr Loïc Etienne, emergency doctor.
Jellyfish can be a real plague when they invade our beaches. To protect yourself from their bites from these molluscs, it is better to avoid swimming when schools of jellyfish squat the seaside. Another option? Wear a wetsuit thinner than a diving model. Very popular in Australia, they help avoid jellyfish stings and filter UV rays!
If we talk regarding jellyfish sting, in reality it is rather a stinging reaction caused when the animal comes into contact with human skin. More precisely, these are the stinging cells located on the tentacles (and sometimes on the whole of the jellyfish) which will diffuse a venomous liquid when they feel in danger, as in contact with a human.
Jellyfish sting, what are the symptoms?
Often the sensation felt during a jellyfish sting is compared to an electric shock. The symptoms most often observed?
- Tingling
- Itching
- Burning sensation
- Redness
In general, the lesions and the pain disappear on their own following a week.
Do not panic ! First, we ensure get out of the water quickly and then we try to heal his wound.
- Using clean tweezers carefully remove the visible filaments.
- With a blue card or a postcard, scrape the skin to remove all residues. The idea is to gently remove the small invisible filaments stuck to the skin without irritating it further. But, beware: the fragments can still sting because they contain the jellyfish venom. Be careful not to touch them with your hands.
- Once the area has been cleared of all residue, the wound is rinsed with seawater. Especially not fresh water: this risks bursting the micro-bubbles of venom and accentuating the burning sensation.
- Disinfect with an antiseptic spray. You can also bring a heat source close to the sting because as the venom of the jellyfish is heat-labile, it dissolves in the heat.
- Ideally, a soothing cream (containing cortisol) is applied to the wound to relieve pain.
And at jellyfish sting is on the faceif swellings appear, if the burning sensation persists for more than 48 hoursit is better to consult a health professional to rule out an allergic reaction to the jellyfish sting.
Peeing on it following being stung by a jellyfish? It’s already a very bad idea if you suffer from a urinary tract infection but, in addition, it is not really useful. In addition, urinating where you were stung does not relieve the pain and may even accentuate it… It is also useless tosuck the venom or of hand rub the sting (or sand, as we sometimes hear).
Jellyfish: what are the dangers?
In France, the stings of the species of jellyfish that can be encountered are generally not dangerous. Other species can be much more dangerous, like the most venomous jellyfish in the world, which is found in Australia (beware when travelling)!
Other situations can be dangerous:
- In case of multiple bites
- in case of allergic reaction to jellyfish venom
The jellyfish sting can cause a strong reaction and anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal. In the event of an allergy, it is better to react as quickly as possible: the symptoms to be taken into account? Respiratory discomfort, malaise, dizziness, vomiting. Call the emergency services immediately!
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