Taking the Sting Out of Stings

Beach travelers should know first aid for jellyfish stings before heading for the water.

"If you're stung by a jellyfish, immediately rinse the skin with saltwater," says Dr. Wayne J. Riley, director of the Travel Medicine Service at Baylor College of Medicine. "Don't use fresh water because the change in salt concentration can stimulate the release of toxins."

Avoid applying ice or rubbing the skin. Instead, soak the skin with vinegar, rubbing alcohol, unseasoned meat tenderizer or baking soda. Then remove jellyfish tentacles with forceps. Wear gloves or take other precautions to avoid touching the tentacles with bare hands.

Apply shaving cream or a paste of baking soda, sand or mud and shave the affected area with a razor, knife or other sharp object, such as a clamshell. Soak the skin with vinegar or other decontaminant another 15 minutes.

Afterward, you can apply a hydrocortisone lotion twice a day to minimize swelling and itching, Dr. Riley says.

- From Baylor College of Medicine

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Courtesy of Texas Medical Center News

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/health_briefs/05_01_98-sting.html