TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2009//
TI  - Skin and systemic manifestations of jellyfish stings in Iraqi fishermen
JO  - Libyan journal of medicine
A1  - Al-Rubiay, K. K.
A1  - Al-Musaoi, H. A.
A1  - Alrubaiy, L.
A1  - Al-Freje, M. J.
SP  - 
EP  - 
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
N2  - Background: Jellyfish stings are common worldwide with an estimated 150 million cases annually, and their stings cause a wide range of clinical manifestations from skin inflammation to cardiovascular and respiratory collapse. No studies on jellyfish stings have been carried out in Basra, Iraq. Objectives: To describe the immediate and delayed skin reactions to White Jellyfish (Rhizostoma sp.) stings and the types of local treatment used by fishermen. Methods and Materials: 150 fishermen were enrolled at three Marine stations in Basra, Iraq. Demographic data, types of skin reactions, systemic manifestations and kinds of treatments were collected. Results: Overall, 79% of fishermen in all three Marine stations gave a history of having been stung. The common sites of sings were the hands and arms followed by the legs. Most fishermen claimed that stings led to skin reactions within 5 minutes. The presenting complaints were itching, burning sensation, and erythematic wheals. A few days after the sting, new groups of painless and itchy erythematous monomorphic papular rashes developed at the site of the sting in 62% of cases as a delayed type of skin reaction that resolved spontaneously. The local remedies commonly used by the fishermen were seawater, tap water and ice. A few fishermen considered stings as insignificant and did not think there was a need to seek medical help. Conclusions: We conclude that jellyfish causes many stings among fishermen in the Basra region. Their stings lead to immediate and delayed skin reactions. Selftreatment by topical remedies is common.   Key words:  Contact dermatitis, Rhizostoma, Fishermen, Jellyfish stings, Iraq.<p /> <p>Language: en</p> 
LA  - en
SN  - 1993-2820
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ljm.v4i2.43424
ID  - ref1
ER  -