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It is an iconic scene: A beachgoer is stung by a jellyfish and is writhing in ache. Determined, the sufferer permits somebody to do the unthinkable — pee on them.
Urinating on a jellyfish sting to alleviate the ache is notorious due to TV exhibits like “Buddies.” However does pee actually assist relieve the ache of a jellyfish sting? It seems, urine is prone to make the sting worse, not higher.
Specialists agree that peeing on a jellyfish sting does not provide any actual profit. The parable possible began as a result of urine incorporates ammonia and urea, giving it a barely primary pH, Jessica Colla, director of training on the Maui Ocean Heart in Hawaii, advised Stay Science in an e mail.
Jellyfish are gelatinous marine creatures that sting in response to stress that prompts venom cells lining the animal’s tentacles. These venom cells, known as nematocysts, deploy tiny, harpoon-like constructions to inject their venom into the pores and skin after which proceed to hold on like a prickly burr. What the injured particular person does subsequent is crucial, as a result of pouring the improper liquid on the harm — one thing with a drastically completely different pH or salt steadiness — could cause the nematocysts on the pores and skin to discharge extra venom.
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The urine-jellyfish fantasy is predicated on the concept that pee with its primary pH “might be extra indicative of seawater,” the nematocysts’ pure surroundings, Richard Clark, medical director of the San Diego division of California Poison Management System, advised Stay Science. The rationale is that urine might rinse away the nematocysts with out stimulating them, he mentioned. However that is not what occurs.
Since urine is usually diluted, it will possibly resemble recent water greater than seawater. And also you by no means need to rinse a sting with recent water, as a result of it makes the ache worse. The dramatic distinction in dissolved salt between recent and seawater causes the nematocysts to launch extra venom. The identical is true for urine. If it is too dilute, it would trigger the nematocysts to maintain firing.
The much better choice is to only use seawater, Clark advised Stay Science. Research have additionally proven vinegar (5% acetic acid) can neutralize nematocysts from some jellyfish species.
True jellyfish first support might be surprisingly easy. Listed here are some higher — and fewer disgusting — methods to handle discomfort after a jellyfish encounter, in keeping with Colla.
- 1. Rinse with sea water or vinegar: Copious quantities of sea water is one of the simplest ways to rinse the sting. Vinegar can be a dependable choice for stings by most jellyfish species, serving to to inactivate nematocysts and forestall additional venom launch. Nevertheless, If the kind of jellyfish is unknown, it is best to stay with sea water, Colla mentioned.
- 2. Take away the tentacles: Eradicating tentacles and nematocysts is necessary to stop additional envenomation and ache. Don’t attempt to scrape off the tentacles together with your fingers. As a substitute, rigorously take away them with tweezers, then take away the nematocysts with the sting of one thing flat and stiff, like a bank card.
- 3. Search medical consideration: Some jellyfish stings might be extreme or deadly. If you happen to expertise “swelling, nausea, confusion, physique aches or issue respiration — see a health care provider immediately,” Colla mentioned. A sting from a field jellyfish (endemic to the Indo-Pacific area and Australia) might require antivenom remedy.
This text is for informational functions solely, and isn’t meant to supply medical recommendation.
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