As I was coming out of the water 15 minutes ago after my morning swim, I was stung on my right arm by what felt like a jelly fish. When I pulled my
arm up out of the water, there was a clear tenacle about 3 feet long wrapped around my arm. I slung it away and got out of the water muy pronto. My
husband went to see what it was and there was a long eel like creature on the bottom of the sea. He went to look for something to poke it with to see
if we could get an ID but by the time he got back it was gone. I have large red welts all up and down my arm. I am putting vinegar on them and the
stinging is subsiding.
Any ideas on what got me? Perhaps the two are not related but the coincidence seems unlikely.
edit to add. the eel like creature was about 4 feet long
[Edited on 11-25-2007 by bajajudy]David K - 11-25-2007 at 09:40 AM
While snorkling off Ligui/ Puerto Escondido many years ago, the same (?) type of jellyfish (just a single long tube with a purple tip on one end)...
There were several of them and they caused some skin irritation. Could it be the same 'string jelly' that got you?Diver - 11-25-2007 at 10:01 AM
The "eel-like" is different; maybe an unrelated fish ?
Sounds like you got a man-o-war tentacle but not from the creature you described. They are more frequent when the wind blows hard onshore for a few
days. Sometimes they will lose tentacles in the surf.
Consider taking some benedryl and if the stinging persists, try a poultice with Adolf's Meat Tenderizer if you have it. A mild soreness and a few days
of itchiness at the site are the typical symptoms. Sounds like you didn't have a critical reaction to it; most folks don't - except the sting.
.Oso - 11-25-2007 at 10:13 AM
The active ingredient of almost all meat tenderizers is papain. If no Adolph's etc. available, try papaya.DrTom - 11-25-2007 at 10:41 AM
the mechanism of action of the stinging is called a nematocyst.....thats how jellyfish sting......lots of stories of urinating etc on the stung
area.....try benedryl lotion. If you consult your physician, he/she may recommend some hydrocortisone cream/lotion also.
Father Goose
Skipjack Joe - 11-25-2007 at 11:29 AM
Diver seems to have it right. The two seem to be unrelated.
Reminds me of an old film "Father Goose". In it Caron is convinced she's been bit by a deadly snake and drinks plenty of liquor in an attempt to fight
off the venom. In the end they discover it was a spine on a submerged branch. "It looks like a snake". A case of mistaken identity.
Judy, perhaps it's time to get some stronger medicine from the cabinet. You'll have this thing licked in no time. And if you feel you limbs growing
numb, don't worry, it's the medicine doing it's work.bajajudy - 11-25-2007 at 11:45 AM
All is well and I, too, have decided that the two were not related. I have been bitten many times by jellys and was pretty sure that was what it was.
The string looked like slimy mono-filament with sand stuck on it. Had I not been so busy trying to get it off of me I would have gotten a better
look.
Oso...I had forgotten about the papaya trick...thanks for the reminder.
Remedy
Skipjack Joe - 11-25-2007 at 11:58 AM
Internal and external applications of alcohol.bajalera - 11-25-2007 at 12:46 PM
A three-foot-long tentacle wrapped around your arm? Yuck! That couldn't have been very pleasant.backninedan - 11-25-2007 at 01:53 PM
The worst I have ever heard of was about a snorkler actually sucking one of those tendrils into his snorkel. Now there was a guy with problems.elgatoloco - 11-25-2007 at 02:26 PM
My wife is a regular ocean swimmer. She once got stung on the mouth. She swore quite a bit, but know she swears by this stuff.
That stuff looks pretty good. I think we'll get some. I hate the sea lice that bite while I'm trying to clean fish at the edge of the water as well as
the jelly fish particles that I never happen to notice BEFORE I jump into the middle of them.
I've heard that swimming with panyhose on will help also, but I just can't seem to get up the nerve to make that much of a fashion statement...yet.
Thanks for the info.
P<*)))><DrTom - 11-25-2007 at 07:36 PM
Jellyfish Stings (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLEJellyfish Stings Overview
Jellyfish Sting Causes
Jellyfish Sting Symptoms
When to Seek Medical Care
Exams and Tests
Jellyfish Stings Treatment
Self-Care at Home
Medical Treatment
Next Steps
Follow-up
Prevention
Outlook
Multimedia
Authors and Editors
Medical Treatment
Care involves general support, wound care, and pain control.
General support
You may need help breathing in extreme cases (such as with a severe box jellyfish poisoning).
Your vital signs will be monitored. Low blood pressure, or shock, will initially be treated with IV fluids, followed by appropriate medications.
Severe allergic reactions will always be considered and treated with appropriate medications.
Serious poisonings by the box jellyfish of Australia require an antivenom. This antivenom reverses the effect of the poison and can be life saving.
Wound care
The affected area will be rinsed with salt water or normal saline to inactivate the nematocysts (stingers). Fresh water will not be used because it
will cause the release of more toxins.
The area may also be rinsed with acetic acid 5% (vinegar) to inactivate undischarged nematocysts and the toxins.
Doctors will use gloves and forceps to remove any remaining attached tentacles.
Pain control
Itching is usually treated with an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
Oral pain medicines may be given.
The doctor may give you topical corticosteroids and oral steroids (Prednisone) if your reaction is severe.
You may be given a tetanus booster if needed.bajajudy - 11-25-2007 at 08:01 PM
Paulina
I am still laughing thinking about hitting the beach in panty hose...you would have to wear them over your upper body too! At least if they were over
your head no one would recognize you
DR. T
So my vinegar cure was right on the money.Paulina - 11-25-2007 at 09:01 PM
Bajajudy,
I'm thinking we could use a pair of pantyhose in the same fashion as one would wear a mink stole (sp?) over their shoulders? One arm in each leg, with
the opening behind the neck?
Queen size would protect the belly region, if you still wear a bikini. (I do)
Then, of course we would want to protect our faces from the nasty stinging nettles by stretching a panty hose leg over our head. Not only would our
bathing suit body be un-recognizable to others because our faces would resemble bank robbers, but we would be sting free!!!
So, should I be shopping for the Suntan color or Nude type? It's been years since I've bought a pair of hose. Do they still make Eggs?
P<*)))><DrTom - 11-26-2007 at 07:41 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
DR. T
So my vinegar cure was right on the money.
Yep, good first choice. Side note, human urine is usually a little acidic so thats where the urinating on a sting comes from also.
Sundog. I didnt see one and I do know what they look like but that long tentacle(thanks, lera!) sure looks like what wrapped around my arm.
Side note: In the middle of the night my arm must have itched and I must have scratched it because I woke up and thought that the jelly fish was in
bed with me....ouch all over again, exact same pain.
