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Jellyfish stings - Overview

Definition of Jellyfish stings:

Jellyfish are sea creatures that have a nearly see-through (transparent) body with long finger-like structures called tentacles. Stinging cells inside the tentacles can hurt you if you come in contact with them. Some stings can cause serious harm.

Poisonous Ingredient:

Jellyfish venom

Where Found:

Types of jellyfish include:

  • Lion's mane (Cyanea capillata)
  • Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis)
  • Sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha), one of the most common jellyfish found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts
  • Sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri, Chiropsalmus quadrigatus), found near the coasts of northern Australia and the Philippines

Note: This list is not all inclusive.

  • Reviewed last on: 10/24/2007
  • Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Marx J. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006.

Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001.