The vast majority of jellyfish stings respond well to treatment at home, while more severe reactions require immediate medical attention. But what to do if a jellyfish sting comes back after some time? Our home GP for jellyfish stings in Costa del Sol explains the reason in this article.
Overview
Jellyfish stings are a fairly common problem for people who swim, wade, or dive in seawater. The jellyfish body's long tentacles can inject you with venom from thousands of microscopic barbed stingers.
The severity of the stings caused by jellyfish can vary greatly. In most cases, they result in immediate pain as well as marks on the skin that are red and irritated. Some stings from jellyfish have the potential to cause a more widespread (systemic) illness. In extremely unusual circumstances, the sting of a jellyfish can be fatal.
Why did my jellyfish sting come back?
When a rash that causes itching appears several days to weeks after a sting, the rash may indicate that a delayed skin reaction has taken place. After being stung, a person may experience a delayed reaction multiple times over the course of one to two months. You may be experiencing fever, weakness, joint stiffness or swelling, or all of the above. The discomfort may be alleviated by medical treatment, which also has the potential to prevent complications caused by a delayed reaction.
Home GP for jellyfish stings in Costa del Sol
Depending on the type of jellyfish that stung you, the severity of the sting, and how you responded to it, our Home GP for jellyfish stings in Costa del Sol can provide you with first-aid care and medical treatment to help you get rid of the symptoms caused by the sting. Medical treatment includes:
- Emergency care. If a person has a severe reaction to being stung by a jellyfish, they may require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), life support, or antivenin medication. If the sting was caused by a box jellyfish, they may also need life support.
- Oral medicine. Oral antihistamines and corticosteroids are effective treatments for delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions such as rashes and other skin reactions. You could also be given a pain medication to take by mouth.
- Eye flushing. In the event that a jellyfish sting occurs on or near the eye, immediate medical attention is required for pain management and a thorough eye flushing. It is highly likely that you will be examined by an ophthalmologist, a medical professional who specialises in eye care.
If your symptoms are severe, you should seek immediate medical attention.