Advice for bluebottle stings

"Glenn" wrote
What should you do though while you are racing and get a blue-bottle
sting?
I am doing a 20km
race next month and it is quite possible I'll get stung. What do you do if
you still want to
finish the race. I'm thinking of removing it, pouring vinegar on the
infection and taking some
liquid panadol. Is this a bad idea or have any otherong distance swimmers
have some better ideas?

Call your mommy!

On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 07:35:58 +1000, "Roger Martin"
wrote:

General advice from surf lifesaving training is to apply a lot of fresh
water to the sting - washing off whatever remains. Then apply ice directly
onto the sting to cool the burning sensation. Dont use salt water as this
will make it worse. Vinegar is generally thought to be ineffective and may
make some stings worse on children - even scarring.

Dont pop the little buggers on the beach or in the sea as they are
impossible to see when back in the water.

ISTR that hot water is better than ice water, and that some people
wear pantyhose or spandex rashguards during the season with some
success. Dunno if that's true or not.

Turby the Turbosurfer

"Turby" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 07:35:58 +1000, "Roger Martin"
wrote:

General advice from surf lifesaving training is to apply a lot of fresh
water to the sting - washing off whatever remains. Then apply ice
directly
onto the sting to cool the burning sensation. Dont use salt water as this
will make it worse. Vinegar is generally thought to be ineffective and
may
make some stings worse on children - even scarring.

Dont pop the little buggers on the beach or in the sea as they are
impossible to see when back in the water.

ISTR that hot water is better than ice water, and that some people
wear pantyhose or spandex rashguards during the season with some
success. Dunno if that's true or not.

Turby the Turbosurfer

Stinger Suits are the go - full body rashies.

The surf life saving clubs usually get the kids to wear them North of Hervey
Bay during the stinger season. A few years ago when the State Champs for
Nippers was held at Sarina it was compulsory for all of the kids to wear the
stinger suits.

"Raoul Duke" wrote in
gy.com:

Meat tenderizer or baking soda also work well for Bluebottle (aka
Portugese Man O' War) stings, as they neutralize the sting. I have
also been told that putting water on or rubbing the affected area will
only worsen the sting.




I wondered if they were what we call Portugese Man O' War. Haven't had the
pleasure myself, but I hear that's a sting that puts the standard jellyfish
sting to shame! Ouch!

best advice I've heard here for awhile.
bluebottles aren't gonna kill anyone, box jelly fish or a fishy jelly box
might!
take precautions folks!

"Roger Martin" wrote in message
...
Ooops - forgot to mention that vinegar is the first aid for the blue ring
octopus sting - first aid!! If stung you must get to hospital ASAP. If
stung
some people will stop breathing and they should be given mouth to mouth
until the paralysis stops and they can breathe again on their own. Never
give up even if you have to keep at it for an hour or more.