A jellyfish is a type of marine animal that has long tentacles and a transparent body. The tentacles of the jellyfish contain stinging cells, which can harm anything that comes in contact with them. It is relatively common to be stung by a jellyfish because these transparent animals can be difficult to see while swimming or diving in the ocean. If you are stung by a jellyfish, you may develop a number of symptoms.
Burning Pain
Immediately upon being stung by a jellyfish, you are likely to experience a burning pain at the site of the injury. This pain may be mild to severe and may radiate up the legs or arms, depending upon where the jellyfish sting occurred.
Skin Rash
The jellyfish tentacles may wrap around your arm or leg and cause your skin to appear bright red or inflamed for several hours or days after injury. These painful marks typically develop within several minutes after receiving a jellyfish sting. It is important to wash off the stinging cells as soon as possible with sea water to prevent further irritation.
Itching
The stinging cells left behind after a jellyfish sting may cause your skin to become itchy or irritated. If this occurs, you may consider rinsing the affected area with vinegar. This will neutralize the stinging cells and prevent any additional irritation. Any remaining stingers should also be removed to allow the affected area to heal. To remove stinging cells, apply a paste of seawater and talcum powder, or seawater and baking soda, to the site of the injury. Once this paste dries, scrape it off the skin to remove the stinging cells.
Numbness
After being stung by a jellyfish, you may experience numbness or weakness around the site of injury. Such symptoms will typically resolve within a few hours or days following a jellyfish sting.
Blisters
A jellyfish sting may cause blisters to form on your skin at the affected site. A blister is a swollen patch of skin that is filled with fluid. Additional symptoms associated with blister formation may include skin irritation or burning. If you develop blisters as a result of a jellyfish sting, do not pick at the blisters or drain them of fluid, as doing so may lead to further infection of the skin.
Severe Symptoms
Your reaction to a jellyfish sting may vary based upon the response of your immune system and the type of jellyfish by which you are stung. According to Medline Plus, more severe reactions, such as abdominal or chest pain, breathing difficulties, or nausea and vomiting, may be associated with stings from two different types of jellyfish---Portuguese man-of-war and sea wasps. If you develop an allergic reaction to a jellyfish sting, you may lose consciousness, collapse or stop breathing. In such instances, immediate medical care is required to prevent life-threatening complications.
