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Medusas or Jellyfish

IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO GO ON VACATIONS IN THE SEA, TRY TO AVOID CONTACT WITH MEDUSAS OR JELLYFISH. AS SOON AS THEY RUB ON YOUR SKIN, THEY GIVE OFF ITCHY AND POISONOUS CELLS THAT COULD LEAD TO PAIN, FEVER AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS, EVEN SUFFOCATION

The first thing people want to do when they go to the beach is tip their toes in the water to see how balmy it can be. But sometimes there are little creatures that meet the eye and people feel like touching them. They are extremely irritating when they sting, generating itchiness and burning sensations on the skin: they are the medusas or jellyfish.
Jellyfish stings are the number-one cause of marine poisoning around the world, and even though they don't look for humans to intentionally launch an attack, the point is they are never exposed to a naked eye in the sea since their bodies are transparent and jelly. Therefore, swimmers usually get tangled up in their tentacles. We should then be informed and stay on the lookout in order to avoid regrettable health conditions.

What are jellyfish?
These organisms remain suspended in water, usually in the sea -there are some freshwater species as well. Their morphology is simple, made up of a bell-shaped structure that harbors the stomach and the gonads. Out of this bell called umbrella, tentacles containing one of the most powerful poisons in the animal kingdom stick out.

How do they sting and what are the symptoms?
A simple accidental contact with the skin on any part of the jellyfish, especially the tentacles, can unleash the effects. It could be either a whole live jellyfish or the remaining tentacles of a dead species. Even when the creature is dead, it continues to give off venom, just another reason to avoid any contact with at any rate.
Some of the symptoms include local skin reaction, pain and reddening of the skin with itchy and burning sensations. When contact has been intense, it could trigger a generalized reaction that might include severe cramps and breathing disorders.

Where do they live?
Most jellyfish live just a few miles into the sea and they only reach the coastline when they are washed ashore by underwater currents or winds blowing from the sea to the land.

How could I know if there are jellyfish in a particular zone?
They can be made out floating on the water surface along the foreshores or in the beaches, but you could also ask about local lifesaving services.

What people are more exposed to their stings?
Children are highly susceptible because the aftereffects of jellyfish stings are related to the skin surface of the body. People suffering from asthma or allergies (jellyfish poison is toxic to the nervous and cardiovascular systems, directly affecting the bloodstream of the stung area, causing irregular heartbeats and hitting the respiratory system as well). Elderly people, affected by an evident lack of natural immunology caused their age, are also highly exposed.

What can I do when a jellyfish sting occurs?
In order to ease the burning or itchy sensation on the skin, you should follow these steps:
» Walk out of the water immediate and don't scratch the skin.
» Rinse the stung area with seawater.
» Never rub the skin with sand or freshwater; this can only spread out the toxin and cause further irritation.
» Don't apply ice directly on the skin; ice is made of freshwater and things could only get worse.
» Apply some vinegar on the sore to kill the remnants of tentacles; this really eases the pain.
» Finally, go to the medical post where the staff will remove the tentacles and will prescribe painkillers and medications to fight back the swelling.
» If a child starts having breathing problems, tongue swelling, burning conditions all over the body, or if he or she was stung in one eye or in the mouth, call an ambulance immediately.
» One way to avoid jellyfish stings is by swimming in beaches that post jellyfish warnings or deploy special nettings to prevent jellyfish from sneaking into the shore.
» Since these marine species swim in schools, as soon as you spot a jellyfish avoid swimming in those waters or go to another beach. The reason to see one means there can be more on the shore.
» Overall, yellow flags are placed on the beaches to recommend people to swim with precaution. A red flag is hoisted when jellyfish presence indicates a complete ban on swimming. Those flags are usually accompanied by others signs or banners that vary depending on the zone. White flags with two jellyfish can also be used.