Wash the sting site with sea water and remove any tentacles. For pain relief, immerse the sting site in hot water for 20 minutes. Make sure the hot water will not burn the person. It should be as hot as they can tolerate — up to 45 degrees Celsius.
Irukandji syndrome is a painful, potentially lethal condition caused by the sting and envenomation from multiple jellyfish species. It is characterized by severe pain, muscle cramping, hypertension, and potentially life-threatening cardiac complications.
The Australian Resuscitation Council recommends the use of vinegar as first aid treatment for some jellyfish stings, including those that cause Irukandji syndrome (Australian Resuscitation Council 2010). Vinegar inactivates undischarged nematocysts of Box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) in experimental studies.
Wash the sting site with sea water and remove any tentacles. For pain relief, immerse the sting site in hot water for 20 minutes. Make sure the hot water will not burn the person. It should be as hot as they can tolerate — up to 45 degrees Celsius.
1 Immediately flood the entire stung area with lots of vinegar for at least 30 seconds. DO NOT use fresh water. If pain relief is required, apply a cold pack only after vinegar has been applied. 2 Urgently seek medical aid at a hospital if symptoms are severe.
Jellyfish account for more than 80 known deaths since 1883. The box jellyfish was responsible for 79 deaths, and Irukandji the other two.
Discussion: To date there have been no reported deaths from Irukandji envenomation but there have been a number of patients who were probably only saved by high quality intensive care treatment.
The first of these jellyfish, Carukia barnesi, was identified in 1964 by Jack Barnes; to prove it was the cause of Irukandji syndrome, he captured the tiny jellyfish and allowed it to sting him, his nine-year-old son and a robust young lifeguard. They all became seriously ill, but survived.
What are my chances of getting stung by an Irukandji? Rare. Out of the millions of “people days” each year in the Great Barrier Reef waters, in a particularly bad year, only around 100 Irukandji stings occur in Queensland which require medical treatment.
If you're stung. If you're stung, you may feel mild to severe pain and develop a goose bump-like skin reaction. Your symptoms may also worsen to: severe limb, abdominal and back pain.
There are approximately 30 marine stinger enclosures on North Queensland beaches; most are operated by Uninet Enclosures. They have a mesh size of 25mm and are designed to exclude large box jellyfish. They do not exclude small segments of box jellyfish or irukandji.
Treat itching with an over-the-counter anti-itch cream and/or an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®). If itching is severe, see a doctor for a stronger preparation. See a doctor if someone is stung in the mouth, in or near the eye, on a large area of skin, or on the genital region.
Use water that's 110 to 113 F (43 to 45 C). It should feel hot, not scalding. Keep the affected skin immersed or in a hot shower until the pain eases, which might be 20 to 45 minutes. Apply 0.5% to 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment twice a day to the affected skin.
Wear protective clothing such as a full body lycra or neoprene suit, even if in shallow water, as most jellyfish stings occur when wading. This is the number one way of preventing stings, as suits protect up to 75% of the body and cover areas where stings more commonly occur.
Where are they found in Australia? Irukandji are usually found in tropical waters, from Bundaberg in Queensland, up around the northern coastline of Australia, to Geraldton in Western Australia. They have been found as far south on the eastern coastline as Hervey Bay, but this is not common.
This includes marine stingers some of which are dangerous, most famously the box jellyfish and Irukandji. These can be found around Tropical North Queensland along the coast as far south as Gladstone, from around October/ November to May/ June.
While box jellyfish are found in warm coastal waters around the world, the lethal varieties are found primarily in the Indo-Pacific region and northern Australia. This includes the Australian box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), considered the most venomous marine animal.
The box jellyfish is known as the deadliest jellyfish because it is arguably the most venomous animal in the world. There are many different types of jellyfish that belong to the box jellyfish family.
Irukandji Jellyfish Predators and Threats
The Irukandji jellyfish has few predators, as its small size and potent toxin make it difficult for other animals to eat. However, ocean sunfish, along with some sea turtles, fish, and sea snakes, are known to prey on the Irukandji jellyfish.
To help reduce the pain and itching, consider the following: Apply a paste of baking soda and water and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Apply a paste of nonseasoned meat tenderizer and water and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Apply a wet tea bag and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Often, it's best to rinse a sting with vinegar. Vinegar is a weak acid that might keep the stingers from firing for some kinds of stings (especially from dangerous types like box jellyfish). Do not rinse with fresh water (like tap or bottled water) because that can make more stingers fire.
Vinegar. Much like apple cider vinegar, the best way to treat wasp stings using vinegar is to apply it to a piece of cotton wool and place it on the sting. You can also use a cotton swab soaked in vinegar and rub it on the insect sting.