Treatment of Jellyfish Stings in UK coastal waters: Vinegar or Sodium Bicarbonate
- Report By: Heather Prestwich - GP
- Search checked by Rachel Jenner - Consultant in Emergency Medicine
- Institution: Isle of Arran and Manchester Royal Infirmary
- Date Submitted: 6th December 2002
- Date Completed: 31st August 2007
- Last Modified: 8th July 2007
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Status:
Green (complete)
Three Part Question
In [patients who have sustained a jellyfish sting from UK coastal waters], is [treatment with 5% acetic acid or sodium bicarbonate], [more effective at decontamination]?Clinical Scenario
A six year old child in bathing trunks and towel attends the emergency department, howling with anxious parents. He has just been swimming in the sea and has large weals on his arm and leg from a common jelly fish sting which are very sore. You wonder what is the most effective way to treat this pain.Search Strategy
Medline 1950 to June 2007. OVID interface.[exp decontamination/ OR exp Sodium Bicarbonate/ OR exp bicarbonates OR exp Acetic Acid/ OR vinegar.mp. OR antivenin.mp. OR exp Antivenins/ OR baking soda.mp.] AND [exp "Bites and Stings"/ OR sting.mp OR exp Cnidarian Venoms/ OR exp Cnidaria/ OR jellyfish.mp. OR exp Venoms/ OR venom$.mp. OR chrysaora hyoscella.mp. OR compass jellyfish.mp. OR non stinging barrell.mp. OR root mouth.mp. OR rhizostoma octop$.mp. OR lions mane.mp. OR cyanea capillatum.mp.] AND [exp Treatment Outcome/ OR exp Prognosis/ OR outcome.mp. OR exp Outcome Assessment (HEALTH CARE)/ ] LIMIT to english