69.1k views
0 votes
Treatment for cnidaria (jellyfish, portuguese man o' war, corals, and anemones) envenomation

User Mitya
by
8.7k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Cnidarian envenomation treatment involves removing tentacles, rinsing with sea water, soaking in hot water, applying vinegar or a baking soda slurry, and seeking medical attention for serious reactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Treatment for cnidarian envenomation, which includes stings from jellyfish, the Portuguese Man o' War, corals, and anemones, requires specific first aid measures. If stung by a cnidarian, one should carefully remove visible tentacles with a fine tweezers and wash the area with sea water (fresh water can trigger nematocyst discharge). Afterward, soaking the affected area in hot water (not scalding) for 20-45 minutes can help reduce pain and inactivate the toxin. Vinegar or a baking soda slurry can be used to neutralize the remaining nematocysts, preventing further toxin release. However, one must not use vinegar in the case of Portuguese Man o' War stings as it may worsen the situation. Medical attention should be sought if the sting area is large or if the victim experiences allergic reactions or systemic symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain, or palpitations.

User Andres SK
by
7.9k points