by Heather Colley

Created on: July 13, 2009

If you have ever watched an episode of Spongebob Squarepants, then you have probably laughed when the character chases jellyfish and is stung for his trouble. Spongebob does not appear to be hurt in any way, and continues his adventures. Unfortunately, real life does not imitate cartoons, and jellyfish stings are no laughing matter.

Jellyfish are small sea creatures that appear to float along in the ocean. Most of them have long tentacles that stream along behind them. They can be found in many parts of the world along the coasts. As the weather warms toward the end of summer, jellyfish can easily be seen hugging the coastlines. There are several species of jellyfish, including the Portuguese man-of-war, mushroom jelly, moon jelly, and the common blue and purple jellies. There are over 1500 species of jellyfish, so it would be impossible to learn all of them.

If you plan on visiting a beach known for having jellyfish, it would be a good idea to pack some type of first aid treatment with your gear. If you do see jellyfish, you would be wise to not enter the water at all. If no jellyfish are visible, and you go in the water, keep a careful eye out, as the jellies could still be in the area.

Most jellyfish stings are alkali-based in nature, and treatment would include neutralizing the sting. There are several types of commercial products available for first aid care for jellyfish stings, and each product has its own fans. A home remedy often recommended is vinegar. Another home remedy is ammonia, but it would need to be diluted before being used. Never, ever use urine to neutralize a sting. There is not enough acid in the urine to work effectively. Another concern would be if the person offering the urine had a current infection. This would compromise the site of injury.

Not everyone is allergic to jellyfish stings, but assess the patient for any adverse reactions to the sting, such as difficulty breathing, numbness or swelling of the throat, or a change in skin color from pink to bluish (cyanotic). These would indicate that the patient is not getting enough oxygen, which is a true medical emergency.

Most jellyfish leave tentacles behind on their victims following a sting, so you will want to clean the area well. Use salt water to flush the area, and wipe with a towel if possible. You can use almost anything to wipe the site, but avoid using your bare hands, as the same tentacles can sting you. Do no use fresh water, as this can stimulate the tentacles to continue stinging. After cleaning the area, you can apply aloe vera and/or an ice pack for some cooling relief.

Be prepared and play it safe. Use caution and have a fun summer!

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