First aid for jellyfish stings: do we really know what we are doing?

Emerg Med Australas. 2008 Feb;20(1):78-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-6723.2007.01053.x.

Abstract

Jellyfish stings remains a common envenoming, and yet confusion appears to exist in the community as to the correct first aid. Current guidelines from the Australian Resuscitation Council still recommends ice for most jellyfish stings, although there appears to belittle evidence to support this. There is more evidence supporting the use of hot water. More research is required to simplify first aid for jellyfish stings.

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Administration, Topical
  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Bites and Stings / therapy*
  • Cnidarian Venoms / poisoning*
  • Cryotherapy / methods
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • First Aid / methods*
  • First Aid / standards
  • Hot Temperature / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydrotherapy / methods
  • Ice
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic

Substances

  • Cnidarian Venoms
  • Ice
  • Acetic Acid