Bluebottle stings
Bluebottles are the most common cause of jellyfish stings in Australia. Bluebottles vary in size, and the severity of the sting is usually dependent on the amount of contact the skin has had with the tentacle.
A bluebottle sting usually causes an immediate and severe pain, which generally fades over about an hour. You can usually see where on the body the sting has occurred because it leaves a red line where the tentacle has been. Sometimes this line has a ‘beaded’ appearance, and is swollen and itchy.
Occasionally blisters can develop at the site of the sting, and very rarely the sting will cause scarring.
It is very unlikely that someone who has been stung by a bluebottle will develop other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, although it is possible.
Treatment
Following a bluebottle sting it is important to carefully remove any remaining tentacles. This should be done by washing the area in sea water and carefully dislodging the tentacles, taking care to avoid further stings, preferably by wearing gloves.
Washing the site of the sting with vinegar is not recommended for bluebottle stings. It is now recommended that the area where the bluebottle sting has occurred be immersed in hot water (45 degrees Celsius) for at least 20 minutes or, if this is not possible, direct a hot shower on the area for this length of time.
Recent studies have shown that this use of hot water is more effective than the previous advice to use ice packs and cold water at reducing the pain of bluebottle stings.
If after this treatment there is continuing pain, itchiness or blistering at the site of the sting, it would be best to visit a doctor who might prescribe a topical treatment such as a cortisone cream to reduce the inflammatory reaction.
Important
Although extremely unlikely, it is possible that a bluebottle sting could trigger an anaphylactic reaction (a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening). If a person who has been stung by a bluebottle develops distressing chest tightness or difficulty breathing that is getting worse, call 000 to get urgent medical help.
Last Reviewed: 11 April 2006
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