If you get stung by a jellyfish at sea, don't panic, here's what to do!

Imagine that you are going to swim in the sea with your friends or family on a beautiful day. While playing in the water, you suddenly feel a severe burning and pain as if someone is poking you with a hot stick. When you look, your skin is red and looks like a rash. You may have experienced this, or you may have seen it. The cause of this could be the ingestion of a jellyfish venom. So today, let's talk about this jellyfish sting. There is nothing to be afraid of, if you are well aware of this, you can face it properly at any time.

Who are these jellyfish? Why do they sting us?

Simply put, jellyfish are a group of animals that live in the sea. They are found in almost every ocean in the world. As you may have noticed, they have a soft, jelly-like body shaped like a bell. From this body, there are long, arm-like parts hanging down. We call these tentacles. In English, they are called ``tentacles``.

Here are the real deal. On this one planet, there are thousands of stingers. These are called ``nematocysts``. They're like little poison spikes. Inside these stingers is a poisonous liquid ``(venom).`` Jellyfish use this poison to protect themselves and to catch their food, which is animals like small fish.

But the most important thing is that jellyfish never come to sting people intentionally . If we accidentally touch them while bathing or swimming in the sea, or if we step on a jellyfish that has gathered on the beach, they think it is a threat and sting us in order to protect themselves. It's like accidentally throwing a stone into a wasp's nest.

Does jellyfish venom affect everyone the same?

No. The reaction to jellyfish venom is not the same for everyone. Some people may experience only a slight itch and redness and get better on their own. But for others, it can be fatal. The severity of this reaction depends on several factors.

• Types of jellyfish: Some types of jellyfish are very harmless, and their venom is not very strong. However, some types of venom are very dangerous.
• Your age, health, and body weight: Young children, the elderly, and people with other medical conditions may be more susceptible to the effects of toxins.
• Location of the poison: The effects are greater if the poison hits sensitive areas like the face and neck.
• The amount of skin exposed to the poison: If the poison is applied to a large area of ​​the body, the reaction may be more severe due to the greater amount of poison absorbed into the body.
• How long the poison has been in the body: The longer it takes to remove the poison, the greater the effect.

Dangerous types of jellyfish we should be careful of

There are thousands of species of jellyfish around the world. It's good to know a little about some of the most dangerous ones. Although not all of these species are commonly seen in Sri Lankan waters, it's important to be aware.

What are the symptoms of jellyfish poisoning?

The symptoms of a jellyfish sting also vary depending on the type.

Symptoms seen in a minor reaction:

• Inflammation and pain at the site of the poison.
• Itching and tingling sensation.
• Redness or purple skin.
• Appearing like a rash or as streaks along the genitals.

In case of a serious reaction, seek medical advice immediately!

Sometimes, especially if you get a sting from a highly venomous jellyfish, the condition can be serious. If you have any of these symptoms, go to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU) as soon as possible.

What to do if you are poisoned? Correct first aid procedure

Okay, now we come to the most important part. If you get stung by a jellyfish, there are a few things you can do to avoid panicking.

1. Get out of the water first: Come out of the water calmly and carefully.

2. Wash with sea water: Wash the area where the venom was injected thoroughly with salt water (sea water) . This will wash away the gills and the unopened venomous stingers (nematocysts) on the surface of the skin.

3. Remove the tick: If you can see any ticks stuck to your skin, carefully remove them. Do not use your bare hands to do this. Wear gloves or use tweezers to pull them out. If you are at the beach, you can also scrape them off with something like a credit card.

4. Apply Vinegar: After removing the stinger, apply vinegar to the bite site. The acetic acid in the vinegar will deactivate the nematocysts that are still active. Leave the vinegar on the bite for about 30 seconds.

• Exception: However, if you have been poisoned by Portuguese Man-of-War, it is not a good idea to use vinegar. Some studies suggest that it can make the poison worse. So, skip this step in such a case.

5. Soak in hot water: Next, the best way to reduce the pain is to soak the affected area in hot water. But not so hot that it burns the skin. Soak the wound in as much hot water as you can tolerate (around 40-45 degrees Celsius) for about 20-40 minutes. This will inactivate the venom.

6. Painkillers and ointments: If the pain is still there, you can ask your doctor to take a painkiller like paracetamol. You can apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching and redness.

Is there any benefit to urinating on jellyfish venom?

This is a popular story among many people. You may have seen it in movies. But this is a complete myth . There is no scientific basis for the idea that urinating on jellyfish venom will help. In fact, the components in urine can sometimes stimulate the venom and increase the pain. So , never do this .

When is medical treatment needed?

Most jellyfish stings will resolve within a few hours, but in the following cases, you should definitely see a doctor.

• If you have the serious symptoms mentioned above (such as difficulty breathing, chest pain).
• If the poisoning occurred in a small child or an elderly person .
• If the poison has entered a large area .
• If the poison was injected into the face, eyes, or mouth .
• If the pain, itching, or redness does not subside after a few days.
• If the wound has started to fester (meaning it has become infected with bacteria).

When you go to the hospital, doctors can give you painkillers, antivenin (for dangerous types) or antihistamines. If you have any doubts, you can call the National Poison Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

How to protect yourself from jellyfish venom?

"Precaution is better than cure," they say. So keep these things in mind to stay safe from jellyfish venom.

• Ask for information: Before going into the sea, ask lifeguards or fishermen in the area to find out if there are jellyfish in the area. Some beaches even display jellyfish warning flags.
• Wear protective clothing: If you are diving or surfing, wear a protective bodysuit that covers your entire body.
• Don't touch the ones on the beach: Don't touch even dead jellyfish that have washed up on the beach. As we mentioned earlier, their stingers may still be active.

Jellyfish are beautiful creatures that are essential to the marine ecosystem. They don't attack us out of malice, but out of their own safety. Therefore, if we respect their world and are careful when we go to the sea, we can prevent many of these accidents.