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Australian Prescriber Vol. 30 No. 5 2007
Injuries from venomous sea creatures
Some poisonous sea creatures live in Australian coastal waters. They include jellyfish and fish with poisonous spikes, such as stonefish.
Stings and other injuries can be painful, but most people recover. Good first aid can help recovery.
People with bluebottle stings are recommended to put the affected area of their body into very warm water. This first aid also works for stings from stinging fish. The water should not be so hot that it damages the skin.
Stings by the box jellyfish, which lives off the coast of northern Australia, are treated by washing the sting with vinegar. Ice packs can then help to reduce the pain.
Stingrays have poisonous spikes on their tails. While the poison causes pain, most of the damage is caused by the spikes.
