Jellyfish and Anemone Sting Management

Jellyfish and Anemone Management

• Gently remove jellyfish tentacles with a gloved or towel-covered hand.
• For pain relief, submerge affected limb or wound in hot water (42–45 °C) for 30–90 minutes until pain resolves.
• Needed materials for hot water immersion include a water bucket, thermometer, and portable heater.
• Administer analgesics like paracetamol for residual pain; escalate to parenteral analgesics or local anesthetics for severe pain.
• Provide anti-tetanus prophylaxis as necessary.
• Monitor wounds for signs of infection; prophylactic antibiotics advised only for grossly contaminated wounds.
• If a tentacle enters the mouth, it can cause rapid swelling leading to airway obstruction; consider endotracheal intubation.
• Irrigate affected eye with 1000 mL 0.9% saline or equivalent crystalloid for a minimum of 10-15 minutes.

Anemone Stings

• Anemones are immobile marine creatures found in reefs and tide pools, using specialized nematocysts for stinging.
• Toxins include neurotoxins, cytolysins, hemolysins, and protease inhibitors, causing pain, paralysis, cell death, and potential systemic effects like respiratory distress.
• Case Report: A man experienced intense pain and swelling after a sea anemone sting in Cebu. Symptoms progressed to renal dysfunction and hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Management of Anemone Stings

• Immediately wash the sting area with seawater.
• Remove nematocysts by scraping with a sharp object.
• Submerge affected area in hot water for 30-90 minutes for pain relief.
• Supportive therapy includes pain control, wound care, and antihistamines.

Cone Snails

• Over 900 species exist, mainly in tropical waters, with highest diversity in the Western Indo-Pacific region.
• Use a harpoon-like structure (radula) to inject venom.

Stingray Characteristics and Symptoms

• Stingrays are cartilaginous fish with serrated venomous spines at the tail base.
• Venom contains proteins and enzymes causing intense pain, tissue damage, and inflammation, with symptoms worsening between 30 to 90 minutes post-injury.

Management of Stingray Injuries

• Examine wounds for embedded foreign materials; radiographs may be useful.
• Severe wounds may necessitate surgical intervention.
• Address tetanus immune status and consider prophylactic antibiotics to reduce infection rates.
• Hot water immersion can relieve pain significantly.

Stonefish Venom Effects

• Stonefish have 13 venomous dorsal spines using a protein toxin (stonustoxin) responsible for severe pain and potential cardiovascular issues.
• Venom disrupts nerve signaling, can cause muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, and significant local tissue damage.

Symptoms and Management of Stonefish Stings

• Symptoms include immediate, severe pain, rapid wound cyanosis, and edema.
• Management involves enzyme therapy, symptom relief, and potential surgical intervention for severe injuries.

Histamine Fish Poisoning

• Occurs from eating improperly stored dark meat marine fish; symptoms include flushing, dizziness, headache, and palpitations.
• Rash appears as bright red, hot, and itchy without welting.
• Treat with antihistamines and consider H2 blockers for severe cases.
• Prevention focuses on proper refrigeration and avoiding spoiled fish.

This quiz covers effective management strategies for jellyfish and anemone stings, including pain relief methods and necessary materials. Learn how to treat injuries effectively and recognize signs of serious complications. Test your understanding of first aid protocols related to marine life stings.