Patchy skin damage from jellyfish stings while swimming in the sea

(Dan Tri) - Coming to the doctor with a swollen, blistered leg and many itchy red scars after swimming in the sea in the Central region, a young man was diagnosed by the doctor with acute skin damage caused by a jellyfish sting.

On a weekend afternoon in early May, Mr. Hoang and a group of friends enjoyed an early summer trip to a beach.

After only about 10 minutes of swimming, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his left leg, as if it had been cut by a sharp object. A few minutes later, the burning, itching sensation gradually spread, forcing him to return to shore.

At this time, he discovered a jellyfish stuck to his left leg, and had great difficulty removing it.

Dr. Tien Thanh examines a patient (Photo: Provided by Doctor).

From a minor wound to an infected wound

Thinking it was just a mild irritation, Mr. Hoang did nothing but take a shower with fresh water. However, a few hours later, his legs began to develop a red rash and intense burning sensation.

Instead of going to the doctor, Mr. Hoang thought that the simple injury would heal on its own, partly because of his work schedule, so he bought medicine at the counter to treat it.

Nearly half a month later, when the injury not only did not improve but also became more severe, Mr. Hoang decided to see a doctor.

Master, Doctor, Doctor Nguyen Tien Thanh, member of the Vietnam Dermatology Association, who directly examined the patient, said: "The patient came with a state of infected contact dermatitis and had formed hypertrophic scars due to jellyfish.

The affected skin area appears as red, swollen streaks in the shape of strings, accompanied by blisters, pus blisters and a widespread burning sensation. This is a common manifestation when the toxin from jellyfish tentacles directly affects the skin.

According to Dr. Tien Thanh, jellyfish tentacles contain nematocysts – stinging sacs containing toxins. When in contact with the skin, they release toxins such as proteins, histamine, serotonin and enzymes that cause inflammation, strongly irritate the skin, causing burning, swelling or blistering.

Just a short exposure will cause the stung skin to react violently. Some cases may have hives all over the body, difficulty breathing, and low blood pressure - these are signs of anaphylactic shock requiring immediate hospitalization.

Mr. Hoang's case was a local reaction, but if treated incorrectly, the injury can spread and leave permanent dark scars and hypertrophic scars.

The patient was treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, skin regeneration creams, solutions and laser therapy to reduce swelling and itching. At the same time, he was instructed to avoid the sun completely for at least 10 days.

After a week of treating contact dermatitis and secondary infection, the doctor will continue to treat scars and reduce dark spots using laser and light technology. However, Dr. Thanh said it will take several months for the skin area scarred by jellyfish to fully recover.

“It's a pity, if the patient had gone to the doctor sooner, the treatment would have been much more effective and left fewer sequelae,” Dr. Thanh shared.

Not everyone knows how to properly handle a jellyfish sting.

Recently, medical facilities across the country have been recording many cases of jellyfish attacks. According to statistics, jellyfish stings in our country increase sharply from April to September every year.

This is also the peak season for beach tourism, when millions of people flock to beaches across the country.

One of the common mistakes that many people make when stung by a jellyfish is to wash the wound with fresh water, rub it vigorously, or use ice. According to Dr. Thanh, this is something that should absolutely not be done, because it will cause the venom-containing cysts on the skin to burst, releasing more venom and making the injury worse.

The correct treatment in this case is to stay calm, absolutely do not scratch or rub hard. You can gently wash the affected skin with clean sea water if there is no other option.

White vinegar (acetic acid) is considered a safe option for inactivating toxins from some common jellyfish species, if available. After first aid at the scene, the patient should quickly go to the nearest medical facility to have the extent of the injury assessed and timely treatment.

According to this dermatologist, the best way to avoid jellyfish stings is to carefully observe the marine environment before entering the water. Avoid swimming when the water is foamy, has strange colored streaks, or when you see many small creatures floating.

If possible, wear long-sleeved swimsuits and swim close to shore for better visibility. After swimming, rinse with clean water as soon as possible to remove salt residue and clinging organisms.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/da-loang-lo-ton-thuong-vi-bi-sua-chich-khi-tam-bien-20250529085033691.htm