AGGIE - Who knows more about dangerous marine life than Hawaiin physicians? Accordingly I consulted "All Stings Considered: Treatment
of Hawaiis Marine Injuries," by Dr. Craig Thomas, and Susan Scott
They say that human urine is a common remedy, but may be harmful not helpful. An Australian study reports that urine caused massive discharge of box jellyfish nematocysts which actually substantially worsen the problem.
Here is what is recommended:
1. Immediately flood the area with household vinegar to keep undischarged nematocysts from firing. This does not relieve pain, but prevents additional stings.
2. Never rub the area with sand or anything else.
3. Irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of room temperature tap water for at least 15 minutes. If vision blurs, or the eyes continue to tear, hurt, swell, or are light sensitive after irrigating, see a doctor.
4. Pluck off any vinegar-soaked tentacles with a stick or other tool.
5. If the victim has shortness of breath, weakness, muscle cramps, palpitations or any other generalized symptoms, take them to an emergency room.
6. For pain relief, apply ice packs. If pain becomes unbearable, go to an emergency room.
7. Contradictory studies exist on the effectiveness of meat tenderizer, baking soda, papaya, or commercial sprays (containing aluminum sulfate and detergents) on nematocyst stings. These substances may cause further damage. Some kinds of meat tenderizer, for instance, can cause skin peeling. In one U.S. fatality from the box jellyfish, Chiropsalmus quadrumanus, rescuers placed meat tenderizer almost immediately on the affected arm. The child was soon comatose and later died.
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