Cold packs: effective topical analgesia in the treatment of painful stings by Physalia and other jellyfish

Abstract

A study has shown that, when applied to Physalia ("bluebottle") jellyfish stings, cold packs are effective as topical analgesia in the relief of mild-to-moderate skin pain. The application of ice also has been shown to be effective for topical analgesia in a number of other jellyfish stings, including by Cyanea ("hair jellyfish"), Tamoya sp. ("Moreton Bay stinger" or "fire jelly") and Carybdea rastoni ("jimble") as well as by Physalia. In the current state of knowledge, cold packs or ice are recommended as the first-aid treatment for jellyfish stings with local skin pain.