It is important to get medical help if you have severe symptoms after a jellyfish sting. Species and stings of greatest concern in Australian tropical waters include the major box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), bluebottles (Physalia spp. The majority of stings from jellyfish occur in tropical and warm temperate waters. Irukandji-like stings occur in Northern Australia, most commonly due to Carukia barnesi, but cases have occurred less commonly in other parts of Australia and from other jellyfish types. Expect pain, red marks, itching, numbness, or tingling with a typical sting. But stings from some types of jellyfish — such as the box jellyfish (also called sea wasp) — are very dangerous, and can even be deadly. While jellyfish stings are painful, most are not emergencies. ), and a group known as Irukandji jellyfish that can cause serious reactions in humans. While jellyfish are known for their poisonous stings, there are plenty of non-stinging jellyfish species in the ocean. It transpires that yes all jellyfish do sting (boy, did I eat my words!). More than 150 million jellyfish stings happen in the world each year. Cannonball jellyfish are generally harmless to humans and typically do not sting, but beware that they do have toxins which can cause cardiac problems in both animals and humans. Jellyfish stings are relatively common problems for people swimming, wading or diving in seawaters. YES, all jellyfish do sting! Severity of stings depends on the species of jellyfish, the penetrating power of the nematocyst, the thickness of exposed skin of the victim and the sensitivity of the victim to the venom. The long tentacles trailing from the jellyfish body can inject you with venom from thousands of microscopic barbed stingers. Jellyfish are scientifically referred to as ‘Cnidaria’ a group of animal species exclusive to marine environments that all posses cnidocytes which are the specialized cells for capturing prey on the tentacles. 10 Different Types of Jellyfish. These interesting and widely feared marine creatures are the free-swimming relatives of corals, anemones, and hydroids—and in the same way that many of these are safe to come into physical contact with, so are several types of jellyfish. Jellyfish stings can be distinguished from other stings by the narrow trail of tentacle marks they leave. Most often they result in immediate pain and red, irritated marks on the skin. Some jellyfish stings can be life-threatening. Jellyfish stings vary greatly in severity. Cannonball Jellyfish – otherwise known as cabbage head jellyfish, these jellyfish have a sphere-like shape with short, stubby arms coming out from a reddish bell. Most people don’t know what type of jellyfish has stung them, so first aid needs to … While there are more than 200 species of jellyfish, just six of them are routinely found in UK waters - but all of them can sting. Depending on the type of jellyfish and how much of the skin touches the venom, the sting can cause pain or other serious health problems. Other jellyfish-like creatures, such as the Portuguese man o' war, tend to leave wider marks on the skin and larger areas of redness, swelling, inflammation. Stings occur when swimmers or beachcombers come in contact with nematocysts. 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