MARINE LIFE INJURY TREATMENT - STINGS

Do you know the steps for treating stings from jellyfish, fire coral, hydroids, Portuguese man-o-war and anemones? Did you know the following unproven folk remedies are possibly harmful or even dangerous?
Such as:
• Urinating on the injury site
• Making an incision on the sting
• Applying gasoline or oil on the wound
• Applying oxidizing agents, strong alkalis or acidic substances

New recommendations advise against using vinegar for jellyfish injuries, with the exception of treating the sting of the box jellyfish (chironex fleckeri). Do use vinegar for this sting.

Hot water is now the remedy of choice for most jellyfish stings. Studies have found that hot water (113 F) can neutralize the venom in common jellyfish, fire coral, hydroids, Portuguese man-o-war and anemones. Use the following steps:

1. To dislodge any remaining tentacles, flush the area with large amounts of Seawater. Do not use fresh water. Fresh water can trigger any undischarged nematocytes.
2. To neutralize any undischarges nematocytes, immerse the affected area in hot water (113 F) for 30 to 90 minutes.
3. Remove the tentacles with tweezers or forceps.
4. Shave the area with shaving cream and a safety razor. If these are not available, scrape the area with a credit card or such.
5. Apply topical hydrocortisone lotion or cream.
6. Monitor for allergic reaction or infection.
7. If hot water is unavailable, apply warm packs to control pain. If hot water is available, repeat immersion in hot water as necessary to help control pain.
8. If warm packs are not available, apply ice or cold packs to help control pain.

As a general recommendation, do not rub the area and get to medical attention as soon as possible.

Keep a copy of this in your dive log for future reference.