Marine Stings and Scrapes

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Unconsciousness occurs.
• Shock occurs:
  • In children.
  • In adults and older children.
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing occurs:
  • In children.
  • In adults and older children.
• An uncontrolled jerking of muscles (seizure) occurs. Note: Protect the person from harm during the seizure.
• Inability to move an arm or leg (paralysis) occurs.
• Rapid swelling of the throat or tongue occurs, causing difficulty swallowing or the feeling of a lump in the throat.
• The person had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) from a sting in the past, and similar symptoms are developing.

Note:

Use an allergy kit prescribed by your doctor if: Your symptoms are severe. You have a kit immediately available. You have been instructed how and when to use an allergy kit. You have had a severe reaction from a jellyfish or Portuguese man-of-war sting in the past, and you are beginning to have symptoms of a similar reaction.

Note: Do not use the kit if you do not have any symptoms of an allergic reaction now even if you had a severe reaction in the past.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Yes	Are you having a serious reaction to a jellyfish or Portuguese man-of-war sting?
Yes	Have you been stung in the eye?
Yes	Do you think you have a skin infection at the site of the sting or coral scrape?
Yes	Have you developed an itchy rash or deep sores after a jellyfish or Portuguese man-of-war sting or after swimming in the ocean with jellyfish?
Yes	Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot after getting a scrape or sting?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: October 30, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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