Are you looking for helpful tips to prevent and treat jellyfish stings?
In this guide we will explain, step by step, what are the reactions to avoid when falling victim to a jellyfish bite and what, instead, are the good practices to put in place.
Jellyfish live mainly in the seas and are among the earliest life forms to appear on Earth. These animals can vary in shape but, more importantly, in size: suffice it to say that, in temperate or Arctic climates, you might come across jellyfish up to eight feet long.
A close encounter with a jellyfish, while not a pleasant event, is nevertheless quite common for swimmers.
Let’s now see how to defend against jellyfish, what steps to take in case of a sting, and what to avoid at all costs so as not to aggravate the situation.
Useful tips for defending against jellyfish stings
From an in-depth look at the animal jellyfish to treating sting symptoms, here’s everything you need to know to avoid running into an unpleasant encounter during your vacation.
What are jellyfish and how to avoid encountering them
As we have mentioned, jellyfish live mainly in the seas and can have different shapes and sizes depending on where they are found.
The body of a jellyfish is 98 percent water, has an almost transparent color and long, thin tentacles. It is precisely the tentacles that cause the burning, because they contain special cells that can secrete stinging filaments, which the animal needs to hunt and defend itself.
To avoid jellyfish, unfortunately, there are no rules or ploys to apply. The only way to check for them in the sea is to sharpen your eyesight and, in case you spot the animals, avoid swimming.
If you spot one of these animals but it seems far out of your range, be careful: as we mentioned, jellyfish tentacles are very long and you may not be able to avoid the stings.
Symptoms of jellyfish bite
Along with the tracina fish sting, jellyfish stings are among the most feared by swimmers. The stinging liquid that jellyfish secrete from their tentacles is composed of a mix of three proteins: one with a paralyzing effect, one with an inflammatory effect, and one neurotoxic.
Symptoms of jellyfish sting can be:
Intense burning;
Reddening of the skin and appearance of small reliefs called pomphi;
Persistent itching.
Other possible symptoms of jellyfish sting include swelling, sweating, and dizziness. In severe cases, jellyfish stings can cause allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock, so it is best to get out of the water immediately as soon as you are stung.
Remedies for jellyfish sting
As for remedies for jellyfish bite, we tell you right away to leave aside grandmother’s remedies and all those “do-it-yourself” actions. This is because by applying unsuitable solutions to the skin, you could greatly aggravate the symptoms.
The first thing to do when you are stung by a jellyfish is to rinse the affected area with plenty of seawater.
Among the things you absolutely must avoid:
Do not use fresh water to rinse off the sting, as you may promote the breakdown of nematocysts (stinging structures released by jellyfish) left on the skin;
Although it is a popular folk remedy, do not apply ammonia to the area affected by the bite because, in addition to being ineffective, it may intensify the symptoms;
As well as ammonia, do not apply urine to jellyfish stings. In addition to having no effect, it is an inconvenient practice both from a hygienic point of view and from the
logistical point of view.
The best way to treat jellyfish sting is to apply an aluminum chloride astringent gel to the affected area, which serves to soothe itching and block the spread of toxins.
This solution is definitely to be preferred over corticosteroid treatment, because it takes significantly longer time to act.
Do you have jellyfish sting symptoms after a week or more, don’t know how to treat the burn, and need medical advice to cope with this problem?
We are waiting for you at our office in Rome, Via Cola di Rienzo 212.
If you would like more information or to schedule an in-office or home appointment, call 06/45471658 or email info@
