First aid for bluebottle stings consists of analgesia. Immersion of the site in hot water may ameliorate pain.

No fatalities from this animal have been confirmed in Australia. The venom contains lethal and haemolytic components and has been shown to produce nerve conduction disturbances, flaccid paralysis and smooth muscle contraction in experimental animals.

Signs and Symptoms

Pain is the most prominent feature, along with localised skin lesions with a ‘string of beads’ appearance (see photo), discrete weals surrounded by erythema. Systemic symptoms are uncommon but may include headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and occasionally collapse.

Treatment

  • Remove the tentacular material, preferably with forceps
  • Vinegar is not recommended as it may cause discharge of nematocysts
  • Cold packs or topical anaesthetic agents may be of use
  • Analgesia (oral, intravenous or intramuscular)
  • Box jellyfish antivenom is not useful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated: July 2005