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Jellyfish in Cape Town: What You Need to Know and How to Treat Stings

Scuba Divers looking at a compass jellyfish on a safety stop in Cape Town

With summer fast approaching in Cape Town, it's the perfect time to start thinking about beach days and ocean adventures. Along with the excitement of warm weather and clear waters, you may also notice an increase in jellyfish sightings. These beautiful, mesmerizing creatures are fantastic subjects for underwater photography, but be cautious – they can be dangerous.

Swarm of Compass Jellyfish

Cape Town’s waters are home to various jellyfish species, some of which can cause painful stings, allergic reactions, or injuries. While none of the local species are deadly, it's still essential to stay informed. For example, the Box Jellyfish (Carybdea robsoni), which can be found here, causes a painful sting but is far less venomous than its infamous relative in Australia. The Chironex fleckeri, or Australian Box Jellyfish, has one of the most potent venoms in the animal kingdom, and its sting can be fatal within minutes.

Box Jellyfish

In Cape Town, you're most likely to encounter species such as the Box Jellyfish, Compass Jellyfish, Frilly-mouthed Jellyfish, Night-light Jellyfish, and Portuguese Man-o-War (also known as Bluebottles). Each has different sting levels, and even fragments of jellyfish tentacles washed up on the beach can remain venomous for months – so always handle with care.

What Are Jellyfish?

Jellyfish are fascinating, bell-shaped marine creatures with a simple structure known as a "medusa." Their bodies are mostly gelatinous, consisting of a central stomach surrounded by radiating organs. They swim by pulsing, using jet propulsion to move through the water. Although they may appear harmless, jellyfish are carnivores, catching prey using stinging cells on their tentacles. These cells release venom that stuns their food, which is then passed to their mouth.

Scuba diver unaware of the Jellyfish above him

Besides being captivating to observe, jellyfish play a vital role in the ocean’s ecosystem, serving as a food source for animals like turtles and ocean sunfish.

The Risk of Jellyfish Stings

Jellyfish stings can cause a wide range of symptoms, depending on the species and the severity of the sting. Reactions can vary from mild burning and redness to more severe symptoms like vomiting, muscle spasms, and low blood pressure. While full-body wetsuits, gloves, hoods, and boots protect most divers in Cape Town, stings often occur on the face – one of the few exposed areas.

A surprising cause of jellyfish stings for divers is the snorkel. Tentacles can wrap around the snorkel and, as it moves, brush against your face, causing stings. For this reason, we recommend removing your snorkel from your mask once you descend.

Jellyfish sting on the face of a diver
Image courtesy of Carel van der Colff

What to Do if You Get Stung by a Jellyfish

When someone is stung by a jellyfish, it's crucial to act quickly and correctly. There are many myths surrounding jellyfish sting treatments – one of the most infamous being the idea that urinating on the sting will help. This is not true and may even worsen the situation. Similarly, rinsing with fresh water or using ice can trigger more venom release and aggravate the sting.

Here’s what you should do instead:

  1. Use vinegar: Rinse the affected area with 5% vinegar (acetic acid) to neutralize any stinging cells.
  2. Rinse with seawater: After applying vinegar, flush the area with seawater to remove any remaining tentacle fragments.
  3. Use heat for pain relief: Immerse the stung area in hot water (as hot as the person can tolerate, up to 45°C) for 30 to 90 minutes to alleviate pain.
  4. Remove tentacles: Carefully remove any remaining tentacles using tweezers or forceps.
  5. Shave the area: Apply shaving cream and gently shave the skin with a safety razor to remove stinging cells.
  6. Apply hydrocortisone: After cleaning the area, apply hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation.
  7. Monitor for allergic reactions: Watch for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing.
  8. Seek medical attention: If the sting affects a large area, the person is very young, elderly, or experiencing severe symptoms like chest pain or vomiting, seek medical help immediately.

For emergency situations, keep these numbers handy:

  • DAN SA Hotline: 082 810 6010
  • Cape Medical Response: 021 782 4444

Pro Tip: Always Be Prepared

Vinegar sachet used for jellyfish stings

To be ready for unexpected stings, consider stocking up on vinegar sachets (often found at your favorite fish and chips shop). Keep them in your first aid kit or car for easy access.

By following these steps, you'll be better prepared to enjoy your time in the water safely, even during jellyfish season. Remember, staying informed and taking the right precautions can make all the difference when it comes to jellyfish encounters.