The occurrence of jellyfish in our sea has become abundant as in previous years. Symptoms following a bite from a jellyfish include an intense, stinging pain, itching, rash and raised welts. Rarely other effects can occur.

For jellyfish stings:

• Soak or rinse the area in sea water. Do not use fresh water. Fresh water will cause the nematocysts to continue to release their toxin.

• Remove tentacles with a stick, card or a pair of tweezers, being careful not to touch them with other areas of your skin to avoid secondary stinging.

• Apply alcohol to the area.

• Do not rub the area

• Do not apply ice or hot water.

• Seek immediate medical treatment if you have difficulty in breathing, difficulty swallowing, chest pain or intense pain at the site of the sting.

Preventing exposure to jellyfish:

• Avoid going into known jellyfish-infested areas or where large numbers of jellyfish have been reported

• Avoid picking up dead jellyfish. Dead jellyfish may still have live nematocysts that can still release toxins (even after they have dried up).

• Wear protective clothing when swimming in jellyfish-infested areas.

Portuguese Man of War

There have been unconfirmed reports of sighting of Portuguese Man O’ War in the Mediterranean Sea. This is not a jellyfish but a colony of marine invertebrates and the stings usually cause severe pain leaving whip-like, red welts on the skin. Occasionally there may be serious effects including fever, shock, and interference with heart and lung action. Rarely, severe stings have been associated with death.

One is to seek medical advice if one has any of the following:

• the pain persists or is intense, or

• there is an extreme reaction, or the rash worsens,

• a feeling of overall illness develops,

• a red streak develops between swollen lymph nodes and the sting,

• the affected area becomes red, warm and tender.

• breathing becomes difficult

The best treatment is similar to that of a jellyfish. In such cases hot water followed by the application of an icepack is helpful. Do not use vinegar.

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