A hot shower may be the best remedy for the sting of a common Hawaiian jellyfish.
Researchers said that putting hot water on the stings caused by the Hawaiian box jellyfish reduces pain better than the more common treatments -- vinegar and meat tenderizer. The temperature of the water used was 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
When a tentacle comes in contact with a swimmer's skin, implanted stingers release a toxin that causes pain, swelling and discoloration, but not death. Injury can be particularly severe when a tentacle strikes a person's eye.
One of the study's authors, explained that applying either vinegar or meat tenderizer neutralizes jellyfish toxin primarily on the skin surface.
The study demonstrates that heat is superior to the other treatments, because heat can penetrate the skin and get to the jellyfish toxin that's been injected.
The Hawaiian box jellyfish, with a body about the size of a Rubik's Cube armed with four several-foot-long tentacles, is common throughout the South Pacific. It typically invades beaches and harbors 8 to 9 days following a full moon.
Hot water treatment may or may not work for stings from other jellyfish species, though it's always worth a try.
According to the Hawaii Poison Center in Honolulu, Hawaiian box jellyfish stings rank second only to centipede bites in total numbers of sting and bite encounters. Other leading bite and sting sources include scorpions, spiders and snakes.
Annual Meeting Of The American College Of Emergency Physicians Chicago, IL October 17, 2001
Although this is not a common problem it has personal practical applications for me as I have a number of friends in Hawaii. Additionally, I annually hibernate for two weeks of the winter in Maui and do some research there.
I am delighted to have such a simple, inexpensive and practical solution for a relatively common problem in this area of the world.