What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Sting of the Jellyfish

What is Jellyfish Sting? (Definition/Background Information)

• A jellyfish is sea creature with a ‘jelly-like’ gelatinous (bell or dome shaped) body and long, trailing tentacles. Some are a few inches in size, while others may be several feet in length. The tentacles have stinging barbs that can inject a toxin into the body of a prey
• There are different types of jellyfish that can cause a sting. The major species causing severe stings necessitating medical assistance include:
  • Box jellyfish
  • Lion’s mane jellyfish
  • Portuguese man o’ war, or blue bottle jellyfish
  • Sea nettle jellyfish
• Some Jellyfish Sting may have mild symptoms, while others have severe symptoms. The severity of signs and symptoms depends on the species of jellyfish, the amount of neurotoxin injected, and also on the reaction of the human body to the toxin
• Some Jellyfish Stings can be fatal, such as the stings of the box jellyfish (among the most poisonous jellyfish species found in Australia). Immediate medical attention has to be sought in case of severe stings
• The prognosis is generally good with treatment, but it also depends upon the severity of the sting, the overall health status of the individual, and the type of jellyfish involved

Who gets Jellyfish Sting? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Any individual exposed to the jellyfish is vulnerable to be stung; young children are generally affected more severely than adults
• Both males and females are affected and there is no gender bias observed
• Jellyfish is a marine animal found all over the world. Different species are found in different parts of the world. Regions, such as Australia, Japan, and Europe, report higher incidences of Jellyfish Stings

What are the Risk Factors for Jellyfish Sting? (Predisposing Factors)

Jellyfish is generally found in oceans, but they can also be found in river mouths. The risk factors identified for Jellyfish Stings include:

• Swimmers, surfers, divers, and beachgoers
• Wading in ocean waters without suitable protective clothing
• Swimming during jellyfish bloom (or jellyfish season)
• Visiting beaches where jellyfish are common is a potential risk factor
• Handling dead or live jellyfish species

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Jellyfish Sting? (Etiology)

• Jellyfish Stings release a poisonous protein (neurotoxin) into the human skin which can affect the nervous system, resulting in the signs and symptoms associated with the sting.
• The toxin gets released from the numerous tentacles of the jellyfish, as a defensive mechanism. A single tentacle may house numerous stinging cells (called nematocysts)

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Jellyfish Sting?

The severity of signs and symptoms of Jellyfish Sting depends on the following factors:

• The type or species of jellyfish
• The amount of toxin injected
• The reaction of the human body to the toxin

The signs and symptoms of Jellyfish Sting may be mild or severe and may include:

• Mild cases:
  • Itching
  • Burning sensation
  • Pain
  • Tingling sensation, numbness
  • Swelling of the area
  • Rashes on the skin: In many cases, there could be a pattern on the stung area, depending on the type of jellyfish species and contact of skin with the tentacles
• Severe symptoms may be systemic and may additionally include:
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Rhythm abnormalities of the heart
  • Body aches, joint aches
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Fever, chills, and headaches

Children may have more signs and symptoms than adults due to lesser body mass.

How is Jellyfish Sting Diagnosed?

A Jellyfish Sting is diagnosed through the following tools:

• A physical examination of the affected site by the physician is normally sufficient to diagnose the condition
• In addition, the symptoms exhibited by the individual may be carefully observed
• The individual may be asked to provide an account (history) of the events that occurred (what took place and how)

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Jellyfish Sting?

The complications that may arise from a Jellyfish Sting may include:

• Anaphylaxis type allergic reaction, which can be fatal sometimes
• Scarring of skin at affected area
• Bleeding and skin ulceration can cause secondary bacterial or fungal infections to develop

How is Jellyfish Sting Treated?

The treatment measures for Jellyfish Sting may include:

• The first line of treatment is often to remove the jellyfish stingers/tentacles by gently breaking the skin and washing with seawater. Freshwater (or ice) is not to be used, since they may activate the stingers and release more toxin
• In mild cases, self-care may be often sufficient treatment. This could include:
  • Washing the affected area
  • Taking anti-allergic medications
  • Use of painkillers
• Tetanus vaccination is usually required, if it is not up to date
• But, in case of severe stings, it could be a medical emergency and prompt attention has to be provided. The emergency medical personnel may even be required to administer first aid to the affected individual at the spot of the incident. The treatment measures may include:
  • CPR may be provided as necessary, breathing assistance
  • Stabilizing the blood pressure
  • Anti-venom injections (especially for box jellyfish)
  • Pain control medications, steroids
• Proper follow-up care and check-ups may be required, especially to monitor for any signs of infection

Note: It is always important to call the local emergency helpline number (911 in the US) without any delay.

How can Jellyfish Sting be Prevented?

Jellyfish are nearly translucent to transparent creatures that may be difficult to spot in salty seawaters. Hence, preventing Jellyfish Sting is possible by avoiding infested seawaters. The following factors may be considered to reduce incidence of Jellyfish Stings:

• Do not ignore warnings of lifeguards or health officials at the beach
• Wear protective clothing if you plan to swim or dive in jellyfish infested areas
• Generally be aware or watchful of the waters you are in (to the extent possible)
• Avoid making an attempt to touch or handle marine animals unnecessarily, even if they are pets
• Do not handle dead jellyfish, since they can also sting through a trigger mechanism
• When removing stingers from the body, wear suitable protective clothing (such as hand gloves, full-body protective suit, etc.)

What is the Prognosis of Jellyfish Sting? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Jellyfish Sting is generally good with effective and immediate treatment
• However, severe stings combined with delayed treatment may be life-threatening or can even result in death

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Jellyfish Sting:

• The following popular first aid therapies should be avoided:
  • The use of human urine
  • Use of pressure bandages
  • Do not pour alcohol
• The jellyfish is classified as a kind of plankton