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As you make your way to the beach this summer, you might want to brush up on your knowledge
of one of the ocean’s most simple but elegant creatures - the jellyfish.
They are comprised of 95 percent water and have just a basic nervous system that allows
them to smell, detect light, and respond to stimuli.
But what they lack in heart and brains, they make up for in venom.
Each year, about 150 million people around the world are stung by a jellyfish., Sometimes
large numbers of jellyfish are pushed close to shore by ocean currents, resulting in episodes
of mass stingings., Like last summer in Florida, of course, when 800 people were stung in just
three days.
The long tentacles of jellyfish are lined with thousands of stinging cells., Each cell
has a hollowed capsule called a nematocyst that contains a tightly coiled, harpoon-like
thread that is immersed in venom.
When the capsule comes into contact with something, like your skin, the thread is released, penetrates
into your body, and delivers the venom all in a fraction of a second.
The venom contains toxins that can affect your gastrointestinal, cardiac, and neurological
systems and cause allergic reactions.
While many types of jellyfish are relatively harmless, and most stings only cause pain
and red marks on your skin, there are some types, like the box jellyfish, that are much
more dangerous and cause whole-body and potentially life-threatening illnesses.
These severe stings can cause vomiting, muscle spasms, fainting, difficulty breathing, and
heart problems.
The box jellyfish is considered to be one of the most venomous and dangerous creatures
in the world.,,, Different species of these cube-shaped jellies range in size from 5 millimeters
to 3 meters long., Their sting can cause excruciating pain, heart failure, and death within minutes.,,,
An estimated 40 people die each year from box jellyfish stings, but some scientists
believe this number may be closer to 500.
Effective treatment of jellyfish stings depends on the species that stings you.
But generally, if you’ve been stung, you should remove any attached tentacles with
tweezers instead of scraping or rubbing them as pressure releases their venomous capsules.,
Then soak the affected area in hot water or vinegar.,,,
Severe stings may require CPR and if it was a box jelly you may need an antivenom.
Recently, scientists have found a potential antidote to box jelly stings in the form of
cholesterol medication., Though so far it has only been tested in mice, it was able
to block pain, tissue death, and scarring for 15 minutes.
To avoid getting stung in the first place, scientists have developed topical products
that can prevent or reduce their severity.
One study found that this type of cream prevented over 80 percent of jellyfish stings.
You can also wear a protective suit or avoid the ocean during jellyfish season.
Or maybe we should just avoid the ocean altogether for like, you know, a couple of million years?
Whatever you want to do.
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So have you ever been stung by a jellyfish?
Do you know anybody that has?
What type of creatures do you want us to talk about next?
Let me know in the comment section below.
Thank you so much for watching and liking this video!
As always my name is Blocko!
This has been Life Noggin!
Don’t forget to keep on thinking.