Jellyfish stings: symptoms and how to act to cure them

During the summer days, as soon as the sun rises, we want to go immediately to the beach and run to the sea. But sometimes we forget one thing: the presence of jellyfish on our beaches. If we do not take this into account, we are in danger of suffering a jellyfish sting.

Jellyfish stings can be a real nuisance, as they burn, sting and interrupt our beach days. That's why we tell you what are the symptoms of jellyfish stings so that you learn to identify them and how you should act to heal the wounds they cause.

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More and more jellyfish appear on the beaches

The first thing you should take into account when faced with jellyfish stings is caution when entering the water, being aware that more and more the beaches of Spain are filling with jellyfish. And this is not by coincidence, because when the winter before the summer is of little rain, the jellyfish appear with the heat.

That there are more and more jellyfish on beaches like those of the Mediterranean is due to environmental circumstances, which occur since winter and not only with the heat. When we have a shortage of rain,

the fresh water that keeps jellyfish away, is reduced. Other factors that influence their arrival at the beaches are winds, storms, and water pollution from toxic discharges.

Why do jellyfish sting us?

Some of us tend to think that jellyfish stings occur because they attack us, but jellyfish never attack people. What happens is that jellyfish sense changes in temperature that occur around you, as it is your radar to catch potential prey.

When jellyfish feel this change in temperature, which can be caused by the same heat from the people, activate their stinging cells and as a result of their contact, jellyfish stings occur in the body.

How to avoid jellyfish stings

Knowing how jellyfish act, it is best to follow the recommendations and information that the people of the Red Cross and those in charge of the beaches give us about jellyfish. You can also avoid areas of the beach in which they are known to be concentrated, to reduce the chance of getting a jellyfish sting.

Keep in mind that jellyfish have a jelly-like appearance, with ovoid shapes like a saucer and tentacles that come out of it like threads are falling. They are actually quite beautiful, with iridescent transparent colors and some of them a very vivid pink color, which makes us want to take them. You should never do this, not only to avoid the jellyfish sting, but to avoid hurting this living being.

Anyway, if you want prevent as much as possible a jellyfish sting When you're in the water, sunscreen is also our savior in this regard. When applied, although it does not prevent the sting itself, it does act as an insulating layer on the skin that causes less stinging cells to be activated on it and, therefore, that we do not have as many inconvenience. Sunscreen is the best friend of summer.

Finally, keep in mind that the dead jellyfish that we find on the beach keep the stinging cells in their tentacles, so you should avoid touching them at all costs.

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Symptoms of a jellyfish sting

Some people do not recognize a jellyfish sting firsthand, perhaps because they have never seen it, felt it, or because it takes them by surprise. Fortunately, the symptoms of jellyfish stings are easy to recognize. These are its signals:

• Pain and itching in the area of ​​the body where the jellyfish has stung you.
• Inflammation and redness of the skin, with a rash-like rash or eczema.
• In some cases bleeding.

In the most severe cases from jellyfish stings or in people who are allergic to it, other symptoms such as muscle cramps, pulse changes, limb pain, sweating, headache, abdominal or chest pain, and even fainting spells.

How to deal with jellyfish stings

If after taking all possible precautions you feel itchy, painful, have red skin and, in short, you have identified that you are presenting the symptoms, that's right how to deal with jellyfish stings:

• Start by washing the area of ​​the bite very well with salt water, that is, with sea water. Some people make the mistake of cleaning the area with fresh water, but this can have the opposite effect and spread the bite.
• If you notice that you have any tentacle rest on skinYou must remove it, but do it with gloves or a tweezers so that it does not stick in your hands.
• Apply cold compresses for 15 minutes to decrease inflammation and soothe pain and annoying itching sensation.

With these simple steps to relieve jellyfish stings, severe pain ends in the first 30 to 60 minutes, although in some cases it can last up to 7 hours. If you need it, you can also take some analgesic and antihistamine to help you soothe pain and hives. But if the symptoms persist after this time, you should see a doctor immediately, as you can be allergic to the poison of the jellyfish without knowing it.

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