How do we deal with jellyfish stings?

Some people are stung by jellyfish when swimming in the sea, and these stings sometimes cause severe pain. What is the necessary first aid when exposed to these injuries?

On the subject, Russian surgeon and pediatrician Viktor Shen said: “There are poisonous jellyfish in the Black Sea, whose stings can cause skin burns. The first thing to do when stung by a jellyfish is to remove the stinging cells from the skin. These cells can be scraped off with blunt metal or plastic tools. The first aider should not remove them with his bare hands, as he may also be injured. After that, the affected area should be rinsed with water, preferably sea water, and then cold compresses should be applied to the affected area of ​​the skin. It is useful to take antihistamines that reduce allergy symptoms.”

He added: "If the burn caused by the sting is large and very painful, Panthenol spray can be used, and it is recommended to spray the affected area with Miramistin solution to prevent infection."

The doctor warned against rubbing or scratching the affected skin with the hands, or applying bandages containing ointments to it, or sterilizing it with iodine. He also stressed the need to wash the hands well and not touch the eyes when touching jellyfish.

“When you are unable to avoid jellyfish, you must get out of the water quickly, as the toxins of these creatures are distributed through the nervous system very quickly. When stung, you must drink large amounts of water to dilute the concentration of these toxins in the body and speed up the process of eliminating them. It is recommended to apply compresses of salt water or sea water to the affected area when exposed to jellyfish stings,” said Russian doctor Olga Minina.