Jellyfish stings..

[kharmar77]

I have been reading reviews from the Cayos and lately they mention there are lots of jellyfish in the water.. A dealer at work, came back from Melia Las Dunas, just covered in sores on her legs.. from jellyfish! She said she was in the water and felt something brushing against her legs. She didnt realize til later... when it began to sting.. and she had it on her face and arms too. She had no lotion with her to use.
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these, and suggest something to take, Just in case!

and now I read about  pink eye! Gonna be taking a medicine cabinet! *G*
thanks
Karen

[JohnnyCastaway]

Vinegar, then fresh water should be the immediate treatment for jelly fish stings, then depending on the severity of the sting a trip to the Doctor.

[Bigjohn]

When I was in Florida and was attacked by a swarm of jellyfish. (who chased me for hours before catching me), a nurse from S. Carolina took some cigarettes and made a poultice of tobacco which relieved the sting. If you've got nothing else...

[travelchick]

Pick up those little packets of vinegar from the fast-food restaurants; once in Cuba, keep them in your beach bag. TC 

[kharmar77]

Just as I was reading John's post, wondering how to pack a bottle of vinegar... TC comes up with the solution! Thanks!  BJ, don't think I will have any tobacco with me, unless my daughter has some ( unbeknownst to me :) )
I will start immediately collecting these.. might even have a few around in the junk drawer with the soy sauce!
:)
thanks!
Karen

[Gambitt]

Two good ideas..   

I'll have to start saving the vinegar packets, and I think I might have a few cigarettes around too 

[JohnnyCastaway]

a little while back one of our memebers posted an amazing site called the scubadoc

http://www.scuba-doc.com/


heres an excerpt on jellyfish:

JELLYFISH and HYDROIDS
Phylum coelenterata, Class Scyphozoa (true jellyfish, sea wasp) and Class Hydrozoa (hydroids, Man-of -War). These possess nematocysts, a stinging apparatus formed within the cnidoblast and discharged on contact. Floating tentacles retain active nematocysts, which remain active even after drying. There is a wide range of toxicity, from mild to severe (Portugese Man-o-War, Physalia utriculus), and sea wasp, genera Chironex. (photo)The venom is complex, and includes proteins, enzymes, polypeptides and tetramine. Pain and local histamine release attributed to 5-hydroxytryptamine; the nerve conduction effects are due to tetramine (similar to curare).
Symptoms: Rapid onset of pain, varying from mild to severe. A rash that is red, hot and swollen, usually linear. There is frequent pustule and vesicle formation. Anaphylaxis (circulatory collapse) is possible in sensitized individuals. Severe stings may cause muscle cramps, abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular collapse. Fatalities are increased if there is pre-existing cardiac and respiratory disease. Chironex may cause death in healthy individuals in less than 15 minutes.
Treatment: For Chironex, use topical vinegar to neutralize undischarged nematocysts and removal of remaining tentacles. There is some disagreement about using vinegar for removal of Physalia nematocytes - sea water being preferred. Topical analgesics and steroids or IV analgesics and hydrocortisone 100 mg IV every two hours are given. (Chironex).Cardiovascular monitoring and/or support are provided. Sea wasp antivenin is available (Australia Commonwealth Serum Lab.)

here's the full page:  http://www.scuba-doc.com/hzrdmrnlf.html

[kharmar77]

Awesome, thanks John!
will read up on this!
Karen
( without telling Tracy LOL)