How to provide first aid for a jellyfish burn

Jellyfish burn – a common problem that every vacationer can face. The reaction of a child to substances that enter the child's body can be especially unpredictable. It is worth knowing that the stinging cells of jellyfish produce poison, and nematocysts, which act like a harpoon, are able to fix on the skin and inject poison into a potential victim through a very thin channel.

Therefore, it is very important to avoid contact with these marine inhabitants in every possible way, so as not to experience the nerve action of the jellyfish venom on yourself. But what if such a collision could not be avoided?  

How to avoid jellyfish sting and how to recognize it

The best way to protect yourself or your child from jellyfish stings is to avoid places where the jelly-like creatures congregate. In particular, the most dangerous in this case is swimming in the sea after a storm: scraps of tentacles can cause burns. Try not to touch the jellyfish, so as not to once again provoke the extension of the tentacles and subsequent burns.

Teach your children to hold jellyfish in their hands and always be at sea with the little ones, especially if they are under three years old. For such children, a jellyfish burn can be fatal.

You can understand that you (or a child) have been stung by a jellyfish by characteristic signs, namely:

• burning;
• pain;
headache
• ; nausea;
• redness;
edema
• ; and even convulsions or pain shock.

The place of the jellyfish venom in any case must be shown to the doctor. If the symptoms are mild (no severe pain, no nausea, no cramps), you can help yourself.

We'll look at:

First aid for jellyfish burns;

• Symptomatic local treatment for jellyfish stings.
What to do if a jellyfish burns before going to the doctor?

Basically,

jellyfish burn – it's a chemical burn

. Therefore, in this case, first aid is aimed at neutralizing the poison of the jellyfish.

After detecting a burn, you must immediately go to land. It is impossible to try to wash off the poison with fresh water – so you will only speed up its action. Use sea water for flushing. A soda or vinegar solution will speed up the process of neutralizing the poison. It will take 15-20 minutes to neutralize the stinging substance, so leave the solution in the form of a lotion for this time, do not wash it off immediately.

1. Remember that water prolongs the effect of poison. Therefore, it is contraindicated to wash off the poison with water.
2. The stinging cells, which are ejected under considerable pressure, dig into the skin and are almost invisible in appearance. Therefore, you need to remember about your own safety: put on a glove or wrap your hand in a towel and carefully remove the remnants of the sting. For these purposes, you can use sand, the blunt end of a knife or any spatula-like object (not sharp).
3. The coldness of a jellyfish sting will help prevent the poison from spreading.

#opros#

Desensitization of the body is important, because local symptoms will disappear over time, and the general condition may worsen significantly, up to the development of a state of shock! The doctor will certainly prescribe oral antihistamines for several days (Loratadin, Suprastin, Citrin) depending on the patient's condition.

Symptomatic local treatment in case of jellyfish sting

Symptomatic local treatment: swelling and local pain will be relieved by hydrocortisone-containing ointments. Other ointments can only worsen the condition by causing an additional chemical reaction on the skin.

Local pharmacies or emergency rooms must have "national" remedy for insect bites, jellyfish. Do not neglect the advice of local doctors!

UV protection is required, the burn site must be carefully protected from sunlight. But swimming in sea water will only speed up healing. Drinking plenty of water and painkillers will relieve the general symptoms of malaise.

Treatment for

hyperpigmentation

. After 1.5-2 months, hyperpigmented areas of the skin can be lightened with the help of chemical peels, microdermabrasion, special depigmentation programs conducted in the cosmetologist's office. Remember that it is impossible to treat a jellyfish burn with oil (including for sunbathing), alcohol-containing liquids, iodine or brilliant green, as well as being in the sun or rubbing the affected area with your hands or a cloth. It is very important to consult a doctor after providing first aid, especially if the burn is localized on sensitive areas of the face or body.