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Question: Environmental

Jellyfish en.wikipedia.org

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Of the choices below, what is the best treatment for the pain of a jellyfish sting?
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EnvironmentalToxTraumaWound Management

pemsou5_wp • August 29, 2017


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  1. Kelly August 29, 2017 - 10:48 am Reply

    A. Household Vinegar
    Jellyfish possess thousands of stinging nematocysts that release various toxins. Symptoms include pain and a skin eruption: initially erythema, often followed by edema and purple-brown vesicular lesions. Most lesions last minutes to hours, but some may last up to 2 weeks. The most effective pain-reducing treatment is hot water (42-45C), which denatures the toxin. Vinegar or acetic acid 4-6% is commonly used to prevent the nematocysts from discharging. Vinegar-treated nematocysts should be removed using gloved hands or forceps. Urine & meat tenderizer are commonly mentioned for treatment, but are not recommended.

  2. Redgate August 29, 2017 - 12:26 pm Reply

    During my Harbor SubI, I made this acronym – not on Horeczko level, but it might work for some!

    Jelly: Just relax – try to calm patient who is likely in severe pain
    F: Flush (sea water, hot water, 5% vinegar)
    I: Isolate (the tentacles with pickups, bare hands, shaving cream)
    S: Sooth (control the pain with topical anesthetic (lidocaine) or opioids)
    H: Halt (infection: update tetanus, consider antibiotic prophylaxis)

    • Kelly August 29, 2017 - 12:32 pm Reply

      Love it!

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