Your Beautiful Magazine!
Page 18
Female Focus
Jelly Fish, different types and what to do if stung This month I would like to talk about a recurring subject of interest during the summer, jelly fish stings.
Normally jelly fish arrive to the Mediterranean beaches at the end of August and September but over recent years they seem to be coming earlier and a lot more than in the past; the reason being is probably down to global warming together with intensive fishing on our coasts.
The most common one is the “Rhizostoma Pulmo” which is large, up to 2-3 feet in diameter and white in colour. Relatively mild when it stings giving local irritation, itching and a temporary reaction similar to the ivy plant that lasts about thirty minutes.
Another common one is the “Cotylorhiza tuberculata” or “fried egg” because
its shape resembles one. Its size is normally less than a foot and is yellowish brown in colour. Its sting is also moderate giving less irritation than the previous one and very seldom requires treatment.
Next is the “Pelagia Noctiluca”, fairly common in the summer and although smaller in size (normally about 4-8 inches) can cause a severe irritation and even a burning to the skin that may lead to a scar or infection. It is pink, reddish or purple in colour and has very long tentacles sometimes up to 30 feet that sting.
There are others which are less frequent but of these, I would like to talk about the “Physalis” also known as “Portuguese man of war”. They are rare in the Mediterranean but have been spotted more and more frequently in recent years. These are
extremely dangerous as its sting is cytotoxic, cardiotoxic and neurotoxic to the point that they may cause death. It is characterised by a floating “head” full of gas that can be seen above the water like a floating plastic bag of purple colour which is pushed by the wind. The submerged tail can exceed 60 feet in length and is full of stinging arrows. Although is very rare as I said, because of its danger, when spotted an alert is raised and swimming is banned. If seen during swimming, always remember to stay away from it by going windward and to never cross its path from behind.
The general recommendation after a sting is:- 1. Wash the area with plenty of salt water, never use sweet water, ammonia or vinegar. 2. Never rub the area either with a towel or sand. If pieces of it are still in contact with skin, remove them using water, with tweezers, a plastic foil, a credit card etc. Never cover it until proper washing has been carried out. 3. With children or when the reaction is severe, always ask the advice of a doctor or the nearest Red Cross point. 4. Antihistamines, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol may help, also ice applied in a towel and in a plastic bag. 5. When wounds appear they need to be disinfected and treated as burns, sometimes even with antibiotics.
Article supplied by Dr. I. Poole, Clinica El Arenal
Tel: 965 792 418 11am - 1pm or 652 286 720 (24hr).
Dr.I.Poole@gmail.com
which can can be found at Av. Arenal 2, Jávea.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60