Holidays, sea, beach and … jellyfish . The latter, never invited, are often the protagonists of unpleasant events, during periods of relaxation. During the summer, also thanks to the temperature changes and the dry climate, in the seaside regions many specimens of jellyfish are expected. Unfortunately, getting stung is easy: so how to relieve the pain?
The science bowl all the “do it yourself” methods that are often recommended. Jellyfish, simple aquatic organisms that are part of plankton, live in open waters, oceans or seas. Jellyfish are a family of numerous species that differ in size, colors, shapes but also in aggressiveness and danger: in general, these animals defend themselves from the offenses of the environment thanks to their poisonous tentacles that “burn” the skin of the victim , leaving the skin inflamedand injured. Fortunately, the specimens that can be found along the Italian seaside regions are practically never dangerous for humans, but they can still sting causing pain, discomfort and burns. Jellyfish almost never voluntarily move towards the shores and shallow waters, but they come there by passive motions.
It is very important, therefore, to know how to protect yourself from the damage of a jellyfish sting and how, on the contrary, to avoid that old-fashioned remedies only make things worse. For example, what we’ve all heard at least once in a lifetime is that some easily available liquid substances – like ammonia, urine or cooking vinegar – if put in contact with the burn, relieve the pain and help the victim to quickly overcome the damage of the burn: it is false. Indeed, their effect is even worse: in fact these substances, especially vinegar and ammonia, further inflame the area of skin that has been stung by the jellyfish.
To allow a decrease in the stinging pain sensation in the affected region it is good to know what to apply on it: the ideal solution (after removing – not with bare hands – any residues of jellyfish tentacles) is to spread a chloride- based astringent cream of aluminum . It is not a well known remedy, but it can reduce pain and block the harmful effect oftoxins . In the absence of this cream, wash the wound for a few minutes with sea water , and then go to a doctor.
Never scratch the region burnt by the jellyfish, as it will only make the wound worse. In the following days , use higher quantities of sunscreen in the area of contact with the jellyfish tentacles.