Jellyfish

Home treatment:

Portuguese Man-of-War:
Wash with salt water. Remove any tentacles and stinging units (nematocysts). Protect affected area if possible. Soak the area with a solution of vinegar and water (1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water) for about 30 minutes to remove any remaining tentacles. Rinse the area and then resoak with more 1/2 strength vinegar. Apply a cream containing an analgesic, an antihistamine, and a corticosteroid.

Sea-Wasp (usually found in Australian waters):
CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE. Death can occur within minutes.

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the marine animal if possible
• the time stung

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital, and any appropriate first aid that can be administered prior to arrival.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
Portuguese Man-of-War

• Open and maintain airway if necessary.
• Treat the symptoms.

Sea Wasp

• Give antiserum.
• Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

Portuguese Man-of-War stings are rarely fatal. Sea-Wasp stings can be fatal in minutes.