In preparation for July 4th weekend and upcoming beach season…let’s review a quick-to-read basic management of a jellyfish sting (not including those pesky Australian Irukandji jellyfish):
- To inactivate nematocysts: Pour vinegar or acetic acid solutions for ~30 seconds (Grade 2C)
- Promptly remove tentacles to prevent continued venom release (avoid vigorous rubbing [Grade 1C])
- Beware: detached live tentacles release venom
- Hot water immersion for 20 min is also likely beneficial (Grade 1B)
- Pressure bandaging remains controversial, not routinely recommended
Should your friend pee on the jellyfish sting like with Monica in that Friends episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQdWWeoT7ug) or with Ben Stiller in “The Heartbreak Kid”?
- Urine not recommended
- Urine may too closely resemble freshwater and thereby cause venom release by altering the salt concentrations inside/outside the tentacle cells
References
- http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/769538-treatment
- http://www.uptodate.com/contents/jellyfish-stings?source=machineLearning&search=jellyfish&selectedTitle=1~10§ionRank=3&anchor=H22#H22
