ToxicologyEmergency
Jellyfish / marine envenomation
First aid and management of UK and tropical marine envenomation (jellyfish, weever fish, sea urchin).
Source: TOXBASE/NPIS; Marine Conservation Society; BNF
Step 1 of ~7
action
Identify the species
UK common species:
• Lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) — long red-brown tentacles; painful linear urticaria.
• Compass and moon jellyfish — mild stings.
• Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis) — siphonophore washed up on south/west coasts; severe stings.
• Weever fish (Echiichthys vipera) — buried in sand; venomous spine; common at ankle level.
• Sea urchin spines — embedded.
Tropical / exotic: Box jellyfish (Chironex), Irukandji syndrome (Carukia barnesi). Suspect if travel history.
ABCDE. Identify species (photograph). Bloods only if systemic features.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Insulin (IV Infusion — ICU Glucose Control) · Insulin — ICU Glucose Management
- Sodium Chloride 3% (Hypertonic Saline) · Hypertonic Electrolyte Solution — ICP/Hyponatraemia Management
- Promethazine hydrochloride · First-generation H1-antihistamine (phenothiazine)
- Tolbutamide · First-generation sulfonylurea (short-acting)
- Chlorphenamine (Chlorpheniramine) · Sedating Antihistamine (H1 Antagonist — First-generation)
- Cyproheptadine hydrochloride · First-generation antihistamine + 5-HT₂A antagonist
Pathways
- Paracetamol overdose · TOXBASE/NPIS; MHRA DSU 2012/2024; SNAP regimen (Lancet 2014); BNF
- TCA overdose · TOXBASE/NPIS; AACT/EAPCCT position statements; Resuscitation Council UK ALS
- Opioid overdose · TOXBASE/NPIS; Resuscitation Council UK; BNF
- Anticholinergic toxidrome · TOXBASE/NPIS; AACT/EAPCCT; BNF
- Benzodiazepine overdose · TOXBASE/NPIS; AACT/EAPCCT; BNF
- β-blocker overdose · TOXBASE/NPIS; AACT/EAPCCT; ESC; BNF
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.