Author: Liu Yadan, chief science communication expert of The Chinese Fisheries Society, Li Shengfa, director of the Resource Office of the East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, slightly modified, original article, unauthorized, please do not reprint)
Opening remarks
Recently, a 4-year-old girl in Dalian and her family were playing in the water at the Xiajiahezi Beach when they were curious to pick up a jellyfish and were accidentally stung by it. Despite the simple treatment at the baths, the girl was then rushed to the hospital, but ultimately failed to save the child's life. Although it is not yet certain whether it is jellyfish or sand jellyfish that sting people, how should people deal with such "invisible killers" in the sea while enjoying the happiness brought by the sea?
1. Which of these sea creatures, such as jellyfish and sand stings, is poisonous?
Sand jellyfish
Jellyfish are in the order Porcupine Jellyfish, Rhizome hydroptera, Jellyfish under the Rhizomeaceae family, Sand Jellyfish are Porcupine Jellyfish, Rhizome jellyfish, Rhizomeaceae, and Crested Jellyfish. Jellyfish mainly refers to the jellyfish type (bell or dish),there are about 200 species worldwide, and jellyfish and sand jellyfish are just specific species in the category of jellyfish. There are about 30 kinds of jellyfish people along the coast of China. In recent years, the culprits of jellyfish "stings" in East Asian waters have been sand jellyfish.
There are often sand jellyfish floating in the Yellow Sea with cold currents along the coast of China, which can secrete peptide poisons. The Institute of Oceanography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has done jellyfish pharmacological research and found that a comprehensive toxin extracted from the stingery sac of sand jellyfish can poison a mouse in a slightly more amount. The jellyfish venom can also cause different degrees of damage after stinging the human body, such as sea wasp jellyfish, spiny silk can secrete cobra venom, the greatest harm to humans, 5 minutes after stinging can cause death. Jellyfish are found in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and Bohai Sea, but are generally less toxic.
2. Will sand stings and jellyfish appear offshore?
Jellyfish are warm-water and live in nearshore waters for life, and the young stings occur near the estuary before the original mouth heals, and the distribution area is generally 5-20 meters, sometimes up to 40 meters. Since the beginning of the 21st century, jellyfish and sand jellyfish in the East China Sea and yellow sea have shown serious outbreaks, and they have appeared in large numbers in offshore and coastal waters almost every year. In summer and autumn, sand jellyfish occur in the northern Part of the East China Sea, in the nearshore and offshore waters of the Yellow Bohai Sea.
In the middle of summer, it is the peak season for the growth of sea stings, and it is also the peak period for tourists to be stung when swimming on the seashore. Although jellyfish and sand jellyfish are mainly found in offshore and offshore waters, they mainly move with currents due to their own swimming ability. Therefore, as the tide rises and falls, some sand jellyfish are also brought to the sea.
3. In the news, the girl was also treated with first aid after being stung, but why did she still not save her life?
After being bitten by sand jellyfish and jellyfish, a bloody rash of erythema appears on the wound, which is itchy and burning. Patients with high sensitivity may present with localized wheals, erythematoma, ecchymosis, blisters, and even epidermal necrosis. In particular, patients with allergic constitutions may develop acute edema, and short-term death will occur if rescue is not timely. The girl was also treated with first aid after being stung, but whether the jellyfish can sting and die depends on three factors: first, the type of jellyfish and individual size; second, the area of the human body stung; third, the personal constitution, where the "constitution" mainly refers to the body's ability to respond to jellyfish toxins. In general, children are weaker, sensitive to jellyfish toxins, and have weaker resistance to themselves.
4. If you are accidentally stung by jellyfish or sand jellyfish, what is the fastest and life-saving treatment?
Do not panic after being bitten by jellyfish or sand jellyfish while swimming in the sea, swim as fast as possible to the shore, if there is a bathing hospital nearby, it is recommended to go directly to the hospital for treatment, especially children react strongly to toxins, it is recommended to go to the hospital as soon as possible. If the hospital is far away or the sting is mild, the initial treatment can be carried out as follows:
First, the wound can be wiped in one direction with a dry towel or other gentle clothing to remove the venom and jellyfish tentacles that are adsorbed on the skin. Remember to face in the same direction and not rub back and forth. If the thorn pack is large, you should find a tool to scrape it in time.
Secondly, rinse the sting with seawater (white vinegar is also available) on the spot. Remember never use fresh water, as it will accelerate the release of venom from the stinging cells.
Then, an alkaline solution can be applied to the wound to neutralize the toxin. Such as alum water or 1% sodium bicarbonate liquid (soapy water can also be). Be careful when applying, without too many times, to prevent secondary stabs.
After the above preliminary treatment, the injured person can be taken to the hospital, and the less serious one can take some anti-allergic drugs orally. If the wound is rapidly enlarged, breathless or other obvious symptoms of discomfort, they should go to the hospital quickly to avoid delaying the condition and endangering their lives.
5. How can swimming at the beach keep your distance from dangerous creatures? How to avoid such a tragedy from happening again?
To prevent being stung by jellyfish or sand jellyfish, it is of the utmost importance to avoid contact with them. Coastal tourist sites should set up a network of buoy bars during the jellyfish flood season, establish eye-catching publicity and warning signs on the seashore, and cooperate with the science education and publicity broadcast of injury prevention to improve the knowledge and ability of tourists to protect themselves. If a jellyfish is found to swim in the sea or take a boat in the sea, it must not be touched, let alone fished, because once an accident occurs at sea, it is not easy to rescue. Once stung by jellyfish, the injured must not panic, as long as they go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment in time, they can generally get better and heal quickly. Conversely, if the stinged person is improperly or carelessly paralyzed, he is prone to drowning, falls or dangerous and aggravated illness due to untimely treatment.
Editor: Xu Zhang
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