Hillel Yaffe alerts: more people coming to the Emergency Room with jellyfish stings

Anyone who has already spent some hot summer days on the beach has certainly seen a fair number of jellyfish - whether on the shore or in the shallow water. The most common jellyfish in our region is the nomad jellyfish, which is characterized by many tentacles, like threads, that contain syringe-like stinging cells that the jellyfish uses to paralyze the prey on which it feeds. When the tentacles encounter a living body, the small syringes are used to deliver their venom.

“In the event of a jellyfish sting, most people will feel local pain and burning, and the skin will become somewhat red and will sometimes also itch. If the area becomes infected, symptoms of fever, tiredness and muscle pain may develop,” said Hillel Yaffe Medical Center’s Emergency Medicine Department Director. Dr. Jalal Ashkar.

Dr. Ashkar added that this year, compared to past years, there has been an increase in the number of Emergency Room visits due to jellyfish stings. “Over the past month, we have treated no less than 20 cases of jellyfish stings of varying levels of severity, and we’re only at the beginning of beach season.” Note that most cases are treated in the community, and only people with serious and extensive burns that are accompanied by severe pain or burning of the eyes, local infections of the skin and blisters at the site of the sting following the burn come into the hospital.”

Dos and don’ts if you are stung by a jellyfish

• Use a small stick or a piece of plastic to remove the jellyfish/parts of the jellyfish from the skin. 
• It is advisable to rinse the area with seawater, without rubbing it. 
• You can apply a cream or take pills to provide local relief of the pain and burning, such as aloe vera and Fenistil. 
• Do not wash the area with tap water/fresh water or use disinfectants such as alcohol, as they may make the local reaction worse and lead more venom to be released on the skin. 
• Do not scratch or rub the area of the sting.

When should you seek medical attention?

• When the person who has been stung, especially when dealing with a child, develops difficulty breathing, sudden hoarseness, nausea, vomiting, extreme weakness or confusion - these symptoms may indicate a dangerous allergic reaction and the person should be immediately taken to receive medical attention. 
• In the event of local swelling or secondary infection at the site of the sting accompanied by redness and blisters. 
• In case of serious harm to the eye. 
• When dealing with sensitive areas such as the face, testicles or extensive areas like the leg, arm or if the symptoms worsen and there is no relief over time.

Wishing you a nice and safe summer!