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Jellyfish: A Pain at the Beach
Jellyfish or sea nettles are found in waters off both Chesapeake and Atlantic beaches. While they are beautiful swimmers, an encounter with one can certainly interrupt a beautiful day. To avoid problems, stay out of the water when jellyfish are known to be numerous in a particular area. Also, do not pick up jellyfish or jellyfish parts from the beach. Even dead jellyfish can give nasty sting, causing pain and a rash at the site of contact.
Jellyfish protect themselves with nematocysts on their tentacles. When these make contact with human skin, a small sharp harpoon-like structure pierces the skin and deposits venom. The pain of a jellyfish sting is really in two parts: a skin puncture and a pain-inducing substance in the puncture wound.
Ideally, treating a jellyfish sting would involve two things: inactivating the venom and removing the tentacles. Unfortunately, no one substance counteracts every type of jellyfish sting. For example, vinegar helps for some jellyfish stings, but makes others worse. Also, more than one type of jellyfish may be found in a given area.
If you are stung by a jellyfish, here are some first aid steps:
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Rinse the area with plenty of sea water. Do NOT use fresh water. Avoid vinegar, ammonia, alcohol, or other liquids unless you know what type of jellyfish it was and the best treatment for that particular type.
- Remove any remaining tentacles.
- Protect you hands while doing this by using tweezers, heavy gloves, or a towel.
- Then, apply shaving cream or a paste of baking soda and water. Shave with a razor or the edge of a credit card.
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See a doctor if someone is stung in the mouth, in or near the eye, on a large area of skin, or on the genital region.
If the person has trouble breathing, starts wheezing, or develops hives or welts on other body parts, it could be an allergic reaction. This is a medical emergency; call 911 immediately. Also call 911 if the person develops chest pain.
Keep the poison center phone number with you, even at the beach. Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach a local expert if you are stung by a jellyfish or have any other kind of poisoning problem. The number works from every state in the U.S.
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OUCH! That Stuff Got in My Eye!
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What You Can't Smell, Can't Hurt You...Right?
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Wild Mushroom Warning
Eating wild mushrooms can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations, and even coma. And, since rain brings out mushrooms, this year, there are a lot of them around. Learn more... | |
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