Where: Jellyfish are moved by windward tides & currents onto obstacles e.g. shoreline
What: Adult Nettles can grow up to 7 inches wide & have up to 40 tentacles (4 x in length)
Why: Tentacles discharge a harpoon-like structure which carries venom to immobilize their prey
When: 78° to 86° F Adult Nettles with Nematocyst stinging cells are in the Bay
PREVENTION
Who: Community use Berkeley Dive Team’s ‘scrubbing’ method to reduce Nettle populations
How: Wear body covering swimwear e.g. rash guard. Apply petroleum jelly to exposed lips & face
REACTION
IF a tentacle has detached, is sticking to skin & there is Tingling or Itching or Painful red marks:
- Do NOT Rinse sting site with Fresh (tap / bottled) Water nor Scrape nor Rub (which causes tentacles to discharge)
- Do NOT apply Alcohol nor Baking Soda nor Urine (which may exacerbate the pain)
- DO for 30+ seconds Rinse with Vinegar (5% acetic acid) to inactivate tentacle discharge
- DO remove tentacles by Plucking with tweezers or a gloved hand
- DO for 20-90 minutes (until pain is relieved) Immerse in hot water
- DO Dry the skin & apply a 4% lidocaine spray / gel (topical anesthetics that can numb the skin)
- DO use mild hydrocortisone cream or an oral antihistamine to relieve itching / swelling
DO Call 911 & rinse with Seawater if sting is in Eye or Mouth or over Large part of the body or there is an Allergic Reaction or Signs of Shock
- Rapid Breathing
- Pale or Gray or Moist Skin
- Unresponsive or Confused or Restless or Irritability
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Excessive Thirst