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Treating a jellyfish sting


Photo shared by Yuri Alvarez Martinez, one of our Cuban members and guide - Jellyfish called "Portuguese" whose sting must be taken seriously



Are jellyfish really a problem in Varadero?


According to our members, including our Cuban friends, fortunately not! But in summer, and especially after a rough sea, we can find some in the sea or washed up on the beach. Even on the beach when they seem dead, we must not touch them!


What should I do if I get stung by a jellyfish?


Here is an excerpt from one of the articles I reference. What is interesting is that the advice given corresponds to that shared by our Cuban members.

Symptoms

The surfaces touched by the jellyfish are usually covered with several lesions, as if they had been whipped. At the time of contact, the effect felt can be compared to an electric shock. Then, a burning sensation and sharp pain can increase for 30 to 40 minutes. In more severe cases, the pain may be accompanied by nausea, stomach cramps, dizziness, vertigo, headaches, muscle cramps or difficulty breathing. These disorders can appear within 2 to 4 hours after the sting. If this occurs, consult a health professional immediately.


Treatment

As soon as you are stung, get out of the water as quickly as possible. First rinse the wound with sea water, salt water or vinegar [one member tells us that she keeps small envelopes of vinegar on her, like those you get when you have a meal delivered to your home] , without rubbing. Under no circumstances should you use fresh water, which could make the injury worse. If there are tentacles visible on the wound, remove them gently, without touching them directly, either with tweezers or a glove. Then cover the affected area with dry sand and let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes. Salt or sugar can also do the trick. The pain will probably be somewhat relieved at this point. This step allows you to "trap" the last jellyfish debris, invisible to the naked eye. Remove everything with a stiff piece of cardboard, scraping the surface. Finally, do a final rinse, again with saline water. For pain, if it persists, apply an ice pack to the lesions. It is also possible to use an astringent solution or a 0.5% cortisone cream available without a prescription at the pharmacy. Healing should normally take place in 3 to 10 days. If pain persists, consult a doctor.


Take note of the things to NEVER do in the event of a jellyfish sting:

  • Do not apply a tourniquet

  • Do not make an incision or attempt to make the wound bleed.

  • Do not suck the wound to suck out the venom.

In case a person gets stung by jellyfish multiple times, it is possible to develop an allergy to their venom. So, the second or third time, if you observe a reaction that is very different from the previous one, it would be prudent to consult a healthcare professional immediately.


Do NOT do!


From the second article:

Jellyfish sting: what not to do

Pour urine.

Rinse with fresh water.

Add alcohol.

Rub the area of skin that was bitten.


Reference articles



https://www.e-sante.fr/bons-reflexes-en-cas-piqure-meduse/actualite/1246?fbclid=IwAR2ETY6QpKnF3qqUUh74ZTsN6NS0RS3lSIFWlXqqA81DAy6CnVFFz5D-r5o (Source: French Red Cross)



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