Wilderness: Jellyfish Sting

Black Widow vs. Brown Recluse Slideshow

• Jellyfish Sting Overview
• Jellyfish Sting Symptoms
• Jellyfish Sting Treatment
• When to Seek Medical Care
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Jellyfish Sting Overview

Jellyfish are free-swimming, bell-shaped, gelatinous creatures with tentacles that may be more than 3 feet in length. Jellyfish that are harmful to humans are distributed throughout the world. They are found near the surface of the water during times of diminished light. Harmful jellyfish have stingers (nematocysts) capable of piercing the skin.

Other creatures with nematocysts include Portuguese man-of-war, sea wasps, anemones, and fire corals. These organs function long after the animal is dead.

Venoms include various substances, some of which trigger allergic reactions. The most toxic nematocystic animals are found along the Indo-Pacific and Australian waters.