Archive for Mosquito, mosquito sting, mosquito after sting 1st aid
The Thimble jellyfish and swimmer’s itch…
The thimble jellyfish is the half-inch long and is found in the north Atlantic, Arctic and northern Pacific coastal waters during spring and early summer. It has four tentacles, that are covered with the usual nematocysts that discharge the toxins. This jellyfish is known to feed on crustacean plankton and barnacle larvae. It swims intermittently and then holds still with its tentacles extended. A passing prey is captured when it comes in contact with its tentacles. The toxins in the tentacles will immobilize the small prey and they will bend inwards to take the prey to the mouth where it is ingested and digested.
The sting of the thimble jellyfish is not deadlybut will usually cause a burning and itching. The thimble jelly is also hard to detect, but actually it is the larvae of this jellyfish that causes the main problem to bathers in the Caribbean. These larvae are often refereed to as sea lice, and cause a lot of painful rash, called the “seabather’s eruption” on the victim. They are very tiny and you wont know that you have been affected until the rash appears. These tiny jellyfish usually will get caught in between the swim suit and the skin of the person. The parts that get rubbed will get the most infestations, like the inner thighs, armpits, neck and so on. StingMate provides very effective relief on the rash discomfort.
Thimbles are usually found in blooms..
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Neon Jellyfish…Tasmania
Jellyfish have always been adept in springing surprises at humans. One such surprise was encountered by a Jellyfish expert Lisa Gershwin in Tasmania. Lisa is responsible for the Jellyfish department of the local Museum and art gallery. She was out swimming in Tasmania, near a local jetty, when she saw a Jellyfish with light being emitted from its body. This was her 159th discovery of Jellyfish.
Jellyfish do not have any kind of pigments in its body which emit light. But the neon Jellyfish are just a creation of light reflection. The cilia or hair like extensions on the body of these Jellyfish helps them in loco motion. When the light falls on these cilia and is reflected back, there is a beautiful rainbow formation with the Jellyfish looking like as if it is self illuminated.
But these neon Jellyfish are quite small, only 13 cms in length. The beauty of these creatures is quite short lived as they are very fragile and can shatter in to pieces on hitting a net. These neon Jellyfish are also called as Rainbow Jellyfish. They look as dazzling as a colorful Rainbow with their myriad of colors. It is a visual delight to see them at night or in dimly lighted waters. The rainbow colors glow so vibrantly in the background of the dark black waters at night.
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Blue Jellyfish..Western Pacific in Japan
The Blue Jellyfish is also known as Bluefire Jellyfish, scientific name Cyanea lamarckii. It is a jellyfish species of the Cyneidae family and is likely to be known as Cyanea capillata nozakii or Cyanea nozakii among populations in Western Pacific of Japan. Blue Jellyfish also sting and have their own unique effects. It’s important to realize that almost all jellyfish sting but the degree of the sting is contingent on the species in question and how your body reacts to a sting. As such, the typical effects and symptoms of a jellyfish sting can range from a simple rash to an angry blister that requires urgent medical attention.
Blue Jellyfish sting effects include intense hurtful pain, wheals, and rash while its progressive effects include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, fever, sweating, chills, swelling of the lymph nodes, back and abdominal pain, among others. In case you are the type of person who reacts severely on stings, the blue jellyfish sting effects might make it difficult for you to breath. It can also lead into a coma and to some very extreme cases death if the venom spreads widely into your blood.
In case a blue jelly fish stings you, you don’t have to wait for the effects to show before treating it. First off, you should rinse the affected areas using sea water. You should by all means avoid fresh water as it will only exacerbate the pain. Don’t rub the affected area, neither should you apply ice on it, instead, let it to cool off on its own. Blue jellyfish sting effects might also leave you with tentacles on, which should be removed sparingly using tweezers. Never rub them off using your bare hands. Your aim should be to put out of action the extremity since any slight movement can make the poison spread.
Severe blue jellyfish sting effects would require you to seek further medical attention.
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How Jellyfish Work..The Discovery Channel
How Jellyfish Work
by Stephanie Watson How Stuff works..The Discovery Channel
See the full article & pics go to http://holykaw.alltop.com/how-jellyfish-work
Jellyfish are probably some of the most unusual and mysterious creatures that you’ll ever encounter. With their gelatinous bodies and dangling tentacles, they look more like something from a horror movie than a real animal. But if you can get past the weirdness — and the fact that getting too close to one results in a nasty sting — you’ll discover that jellyfish are pretty fascinating. They’ve been around for more than 650 million years, and there are thousands of different species, with more species discovered all of the time.
In this article, we’ll learn all about these mysterious animals and find out what to do if you do happen to get in the way of a stinging jellyfish tentacle.
Jellyfish live mainly in the ocean, but they aren’t actually fish — they’re plankton. These plants and animals either float in the water or possess such limited swimming powers that currents control their horizontal movements. Some plankton are microscopic, single-celled organisms, while others are several feet long. Jellyfish can range in size from less than an inch to nearly 7 feet long, with tentacles up to 100 feet long.
Jellyfish are also members of the phylum Cnidaria, (from the Greek word for “stinging nettle”) and the class Scyphozoa (from the Greek word for “cup,” referring to the jellyfish’s body shape). All cnidarians have a mouth in the center of their bodies, surrounded by tentacles. The jellyfish’s cnidarian relatives include corals, sea anemones and the Portuguese man-o’-war.
Jellyfish are about 98 percent water. If a jellyfish washes up on the beach, it will mostly disappear as the water evaporates. Most are transparent and bell-shaped. Their bodies have radial symmetry,which means that the body parts extend from a central point like the spokes on a wheel. If you cut a jellyfish in half at any point, you’ll always get equal halves. Jellyfish have very simple bodies — they don’t have bones, a brain or a heart. To see light, detect smells and orient themselves, they have rudimentary sensory nerves at the base of their tentacles.
A jellyfish’s body generally comprises six basic parts:
- The epidermis, which protects the inner organs
- The gastrodermis, which is the inner layer
- The mesoglea, or middle jelly, between the epidermis and gastrodermis
- The gastrovascular cavity, which functions as a gullet, stomach, and intestine all in one
- An orifice that functions as both the mouth and anus
- Tentacles that line the edge of the body
An adult jellyfish is a medusa (plural: medusae), named after Medusa, the mythological creature with snakes for hair who could turn humans to stone with a glance. After the male releases its sperm through its orifice into the water, the sperm swim into the female’s orifice and fertilize the eggs.
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Several dozen jellyfish larvae can hatch at once. They eventually float out on the currents and look for a solid surface on which to attach, such as a rock. When they attach they become polyps — hollow cylinders with a mouth and tentacles at the top. The polyps later bud into young jellyfish called ephyrae. After a few weeks, the jellyfish float away and grow into mature medusae. A medusa can live for about three to six months.
| When Jellyfish Attack!It sounds like something out of an old “Godzilla” movie: Giant sea monsters have invaded Japanese waters. They’re 6 feet long and weigh up to 450 pounds. They have wreaked havoc on the country’s fishing industry, and inflicted at least a few deadly stings on humans. They were even responsible for temporarily shutting a nuclear power plant after they lodged in its cooling system. These creatures were jellyfish, which the Japanese call echizen kurage. Some experts blame the influx of jellyfish on heavy rains in China, which they say drove the sea creatures into Japanese waters. Fortunately, the Japanese have found a use for many of the enormous jellyfish they’ve caught: dried, salted jellyfish, anyone? |
Jellyfish are carnivores — they eat other animals. Smaller jellyfish eat algae and other tiny plankton called zooplankton. Larger jellyfish eat crustaceans and other bigger aquatic animals. They don’t seek out people to attack — their nervous system is too simple to do that. Their sting is both a defense mechanism and a way to capture their prey.
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Each jellyfish tentacle is covered with thousands of cells called cnidoblasts, which house nematocystscontaining stinging threads. When a jellyfish encounters another object, pressure inside the nematocyst causes the threads to uncoil. The stinging cells spring out at the unwitting victim like tiny darts, firing venom into it. The venom is a neurotoxin designed to paralyze jellyfish prey. Although a jellyfish can kill a small aquatic animal, its sting is not usually fatal to humans. It tends to cause pain, skin rashes, fever and muscle cramps. The degree of pain and reaction to a jellyfish sting can depend on the species — larger jellyfish have larger cnidoblasts that can penetrate deeper into the skin, and some jellyfish have stronger venom than others.
 Image courtesy Captain Albert E. Theberge/NOAA A jellyfish washed up on a beach. |
When you’re at the beach, watch out for jellyfish both on the water and on the sand. Even a tentacle that has been separated from its jellyfish can sting. If you do get stung, first remove any tentacles clinging to the skin. Don’t wash the area with fresh water — it could release more venom into your body. Any signs of an allergic reaction (shortness of breath,hives, wheezing) warrant immediate medical attention.
 Public domain Jellyfish salad, an appetizer common in Chinese and other Asian cuisines |
Jellyfish have excellent protection against predators: their stinging tentacles are a strong deterrent, and their transparent bodies help them hide. A few animals, such as loggerhead turtles, sunfish and spadefish, eat jellyfish. Some young fish actually live on or even in jellyfish. They hide out in the tentacles to avoid being eaten by predators until they mature. And some people — especially in Chinaand Japan — also eat jellyfish, considering them a delicacy.
Aside from their occasional stings, jellyfish are not generally a nuisance. But in recent years, certain parts of the world — namely Japan, Australia, and Europe — have seen a problematic increase in jellyfish populations. Scientists believe the increase in jellyfish numbers may have to do with additional nutrients in the water, climate change or fishing along the coastlines. Dramatic population increases are called blooms. Some researchers are concerned that the increased numbers of jellyfish could compete for food resources with fish and other marine animals, and eventually bump out native local species. In large numbers, jellyfish also wreak havoc with local fishing industries by tearing holes in fishing nets and disrupting other fish populations.
 Image courtesy Kevin Connors /MorgueFile A smack, or small group, of jellyfish |
Jellyfish do best in their natural environment, but many aquariums have jellyfish tanks. People who capture and raise them in captivity must be very careful not to damage their fragile bodies. It’s easier to collect jellyfish in the polyp stage, when they are less vulnerable. Ideally, they should be in a tank free from any sharp corners or obstacles on which they could hurt themselves. In addition, the water needs to have some flow to it because jellyfish primarily move with currents.
Here are just a few of the many different types of jellyfish:
Box jellyfish
This jellyfish looks like a square with its four sides — hence the name “box.” This subclass of 16 jellyfish species includes the sea wasp. Box jellyfish tend to gravitate toward the mouths of rivers and creeks, and their sting is very painful. People who have unwittingly been stung can experience intense muscle crampsand difficulty breathing.
 Image courtesy E.Widder/NOAA Ocean Explorer Atolla wyvillei, a deep-sea jellyfish |
Deep-sea jellyfish
The name of this type of jellyfish says it all. Deep-sea jellyfish live in very deep waters, as far as 23,000 feet below the ocean’s surface. They are usually dark-colored — brown, violet or black.
Irukandji jellyfish
Irukandji are a type of box jellyfish found in Australia. Although they’re small (about the size of a human thumbnail), their venom is extremely toxic. This type of jellyfish has cnidoblasts on its body as well as its tentacles. The Irukandji’s sting is so painful and causes such severe symptoms that scientists have given them a name: Irjukadji syndrome. Symptoms include high blood pressure, vomiting, headaches, extreme cramping and pain, and a burning sensation. Irukadji syndrome can last up to two weeks, and there’s no antidote. Doctors have found that magnesium infusions can bring some relief, but the syndrome can be fatal.
 Image courtesy Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary A moon jellyfish |
Moon jellyfish
This is the type of jellyfish most commonly seen on the shores of North America and Europe. This pink or blue jellyfish usually lives in waters about 20 feet deep. Its sting is mild, leaving a red, itchy rash.
Portuguese Man-o’-war
A Portuguese man-o’-war isn’t a jellyfish, although it resembles one. They’re actuallysiphonophores — floating colonies that include four individual animals, each with its own role (for example, stinging, feeding, movement and reproduction). Named for the 18th century ship that it resembles, the Portuguese man-o’-war is a member of the same phylum,Cnidaria, as the jellyfish. Its sting can be very painful and can lead to symptoms such as chills, fever, nausea, vomiting and shock. In some cases, the stings are fatal.
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Pink Meanie in the Mediterranean
Thousands of purple jellyfish have bloomed earlier than usual and a few days ago swarmed the coastal area around Marsalforn and Xwejni bay in Gozo.
The bloom consisted of thousands of mature mauve stinger (Pelagia noctiluca) individuals and according to marine biologist Alan Deidun is a clear sign the Mediterranean sea is warming.
“Blooms for this species would normally start towards late autumn in the warmer waters off north Africa, making their appearance further north in Maltese waters towards mid-winter, in February,” he explained.
Their early presence could be indicative of the unstoppable warming of the Mediterranean Sea, whose temperature rose by as much as 0.5?C since 2002 at least in the western half of the basin, he said.
Dr Deidun is investigating the dynamics of jellyfish blooms in Maltese waters at the University’s international ocean institute. The institute has conducted an intensive jellyfish spotting campaign – Spot the Jellyfish – which will continue throughout 2011, led by Aldo Drago.
The mauve stinger is a highly versatile species and can tolerate sea temperatures of between eight and 22 degrees, delaying its release of miniature jellyfish until optimal environmental conditions are found.
Until 1998, Pelagia blooms occurred every 12 years and had an average duration of four years. However, they became more common due to climate change, overfishing and coastal urbanisation and discharges, Dr Deidun said.
Pink Meanie
Photo courtesy of Times of Malta
Upside down Jellyfish found in Lagoons
Cassiopeia sp. known as the Upside down jellies are found living in mangrove lagoons around the world. The sting of the jellies is certainly annoying, but not deadly….
Pictures and information provided by Chad WidmerPhD student, University of St. Andrews..Northernmost Fulbrighter
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Tiburonia granrojo.. “Big Red”
Take a look at this creature matey’s..this furry looking jelly is 2-3 feet in diameter and was recently discovered and lives in the deep at 600-1500 meters…Ay!..thems be the depths where the water be ice cold, the depths be dark and the pressure would crush a round boat for sure….
5000 feet below the sea
Vinegar based StingMate First Aid Lab Sting Photos
- Stinging tentacles on both arms to test effectiveness of StingMate
Applying StingMate
After applying StingMate simple scrape away the stinging cells for immediate relief
StingMate Jellyfish First Aid has proven safe and effective on thousands of sting injuries.
Stingray Relief Kit for windsurfers, kayaking, sport fishing or being in the surf
Look for the full line of StingMate products at your local dive, swim, surf or fishing retailer, including our soon to be released Portuguese Man of War 1st Aid kit….
Don’t forget to follow the adventures of Captain Stingbad as he searches the oceans deep for new marine animal discoveries. Ask science officer Chad about your discoveries and tell us your sting story. For more information go to our website at www.captainstingbad.wordpress.com
Flower Hat Jellyfish
This animal be called the Flower Hat Jellyfish, argh!!!. It’s found off the coasts of Japan, Argentina, and Brazil. Its tentacles coil up when not in use, which makes them look like bouquets of flowers.
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Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
