Jellyfish stings are relatively common problems for people swimming, wading or diving in seawater

JELLYFISH STING’S

Jellyfish stings are relatively common problems for people swimming, wading or diving in seawaters. The long tentacles trailing from the jellyfish body can inject you with venom from thousands of microscopic barbed stingers.

Jellyfish stings vary greatly in severity. Most often they result in immediate pain and red, irritated marks on the skin. Some jellyfish stings may cause more whole-body (systemic) illness. And in rare cases jellyfish stings are life-threatening.

Most jellyfish stings get better with home treatment. Severe reactions require emergency medical care.

SYMPTOMS
Common signs and symptoms of jellyfish stings include:

Burning, prickling, stinging pain
Red, brown or purplish tracks on the skin — a “print” of the tentacles’ contact with your skin
Itching
Swelling
Tingling and numbness
Throbbing pain that radiates up a leg or an arm
Severe jellyfish stings can affect multiple body systems. These reactions may appear rapidly or several hours after the stings. Signs and symptoms of severe jellyfish stings include:

Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Muscle and joint problems
Weakness and dizziness
Fever
Loss of consciousness
Difficulty breathing
Heart problems
The severity of your reaction depends on:

The type and size of the jellyfish
Your age, size and health, with severe reactions more likely in children and people in poor health
How long you were exposed to the stingers
How much of your skin is affected
When to see a doctor
Seek emergency treatment if:

Stings cover large areas of skin
You have severe symptoms or a serious allergic reaction
CAUSES
Jellyfish tentacles contain microscopic barbed stingers. Each stinger has a tiny bulb that holds venom and a coiled, sharp-tipped tube. The jellyfish uses the venom to protect itself and kill prey.

When you brush against a tentacle, tiny triggers on its surface release the stingers. The tube penetrates the skin and releases venom. It affects the immediate area of contact and may enter the bloodstream.

Jellyfish that have washed up on a beach may still release venomous stingers if touched.

Types of jellyfish
While many types of jellyfish are relatively harmless to humans, some can cause severe pain and are more likely to cause a systemic reaction. These jellyfish cause more-serious problems in people:

Box jellyfish. Also called sea wasps, box jellyfish can cause intense pain. Life-threatening reactions — although rare — are more common with this type. The more dangerous species of box jellyfish are in the warm waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Portuguese man-of-war. Also called bluebottle jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish live mostly in warmer seas. This type has a blue or purplish gas-filled bubble that keeps it afloat on the water and acts as a sail.
Sea nettle. Common in both warm and cool seawaters, sea nettles live along the northeast coast of the United States and are abundant in Chesapeake Bay.
Lion’s mane jellyfish. These are the world’s largest jellyfish, with a body diameter of more than 3 feet (1 meter). They’re most common in cooler, northern regions of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
RISK FACTORS
Conditions that increase your risk of getting stung by jellyfish include:

Swimming on a downwind shore
Swimming at times when jellyfish appear in large numbers (a jellyfish bloom)
Swimming or diving in jellyfish areas without protective clothing
Playing or sunbathing where jellyfish are washed up on the beach
Swimming in a place known to have many jellyfish
COMPLICATIONS
Possible complications of a jellyfish sting include:

Delayed hypersensitivity reaction, causing blisters, rash or other skin irritations a week or more after the sting
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), rarely
Infection, rarely
Scarring or skin discoloration, rarely
TREATMENTS AND DRUGS
Most jellyfish stings can be treated by rinsing the area with salt water, applying vinegar or a baking soda paste, and taking a pain reliever.

Someone having a severe reaction to a jellyfish sting needs emergency care that may include:

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
An epinephrine injection, for anaphylactic shock
Life support to stabilize breathing, heart rate and blood pressure
Antivenin medication, if the sting is from a box jellyfish
Pain medicine
Other medical treatments
Other circumstances also may require doctor-supervised treatment:

A rash or other skin reaction due to delayed hypersensitivity may be treated with oral antihistamines or corticosteroids.
A jellyfish sting occurring on or near an eye requires immediate medical care for pain control and a good eye flushing. You will likely be seen by a doctor specializing in eye care (ophthalmologist).
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
The following tips can help you avoid jellyfish stings:

Wear a protective suit. When swimming or diving in areas where jellyfish stings are possible, wear a wet suit or other protective clothing. Diving stores sell protective “skin suits” or “stinger suits” made of thin, high-tech fabric.
Get information about conditions. Talk to lifeguards, local residents or officials with a local health department before swimming or diving in coastal waters, especially in areas where jellyfish are common.
Avoid water during jellyfish season. Stay out of the water when jellyfish numbers are high.
Be careful where you dive. To avoid stings on the face, don’t dive into waters that may have jellyfish.
Use protective lotions. Some clinical evidence shows that lotions such as Safe Sea may result in fewer stings after exposure to jellyfish tentacles.
Leave the water calmly. If you’re stung, get out of the water without splashing much. This helps prevent more stingers from releasing venom.