Ouch! Jellyfish Sting

Tara A. Spears

Jellyfish are a periodic presence in the shallow waters of Jaltemba Bay, and when their numbers spike they can cause injuries to swimmers and prompt the posting of the purple beach flag. While jellyfish live in the Eastern Pacific year-round, changes in their food source, changes in water temperature, and shifting of the ocean currents affect their concentration near the beach. Jellyfish stings are a common nuisance for beachgoers, ranging from mildly irritating to potentially life-threatening. Knowing what to do in case you are stung by ocean wildlife is a good precaution. Rinse immediately, clean with vinegar, and call +52 327 274 3578 to request paramedic assistance.

Jellyfish are mucus-like marine organisms that can be found in various parts of the ocean. From warm to cold regions of the ocean, from the deep water to the surface, intercontinental to coastal beaches, jellyfish can thrive in many types of environment. They look different from other marine organisms as they do not have skin or bones. Jellyfish consist of a shaped body with many undulating tentacles. Although they have no brain or body cavity, jellies are extremely responsive to their surroundings. As an omnivore, jellyfish feed on fish, shrimp, crabs, and tiny plants. A similar sea animal is the Portuguese Man of War. These nearly invisible creatures have a distinctive feature of tentacles covered with tiny stinging cells that they use to catch prey as they drift through the water column. It is these nematocysts, with venom, that cause pain.

Although jellyfish do not purposely attack humans, and most jellyfish stings occur as more of an irritation to swimmers than a real danger, box jellyfish stings are the exception to that. The deadliest jellyfish in the world is the box jellyfish, of which there are around 50 species. Fortunately, these super-toxic types are not present in Jaltemba Bay waters.

The discovery of jellyfish diversity in the tropical Eastern Pacific has implications that extend far beyond simply numbering the sub-species: understanding the true variety of these creatures is essential for several practical reasons. Jellyfish have critical roles in marine ecosystems as both predator and prey. Their blooms can affect fish populations, and their movements transport nutrients through different ocean layers. Jellies also have economic importance because in parts of Asia, jellyfish are a commercial fishery. Lastly, jellies are important climate change indicators — jellyfish populations are sensitive to environmental changes, making them potential indicators of ocean health and climate change impacts, according to Mexican Marine Life.

Local paramedic Jessica Aguilar Torres said, “We get calls involving all three types of sea life, but mostly stingray injuries. A stingray sting is identified as a laceration, and the area where the stinger penetrated turns dark, almost black. It’s usually on the lower leg, as stingrays are found in the sand. The pain is very intense. The most effective thing is to immerse the affected area in hot water at a temperature that soothes it, apply lidocaine, an anesthetic, and keep it clean. In both marine wildlife injuries, the main thing is to make sure it doesn’t cause an allergic reaction (respiratory difficulty). If that happens, you would need to go to the hospital without delay.”

Jellyfish, those pulsating, translucent creatures that sometimes wash up on beaches, represent some of the ocean’s most misunderstood inhabitants. They play crucial ecological roles as both predator and prey, helping maintain the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Be cautious when swimming in the ocean to avoid coming in contact with one. Jellyfish remind us: even without a backbone, you can still move through the deepest oceans.