A randomized, controlled field trial for the prevention of jellyfish stings with a topical sting inhibitor.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Jellyfish stings are a common occurrence among ocean goers worldwide with an estimated 150 million envenomations annually. Fatalities and hospitalizations occur annually, particularly in the Indo-Pacific regions. A new topical jellyfish sting inhibitor based on the mucous coating of the clown fish prevents 85% of jellyfish stings in laboratory settings. The field effectiveness is unknown. The objective is to evaluate the field efficacy of the jellyfish sting inhibitor, Safe Sea.

Methods

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial occurred at the Dry Tortugas National Park, FL, USA and Sapodilla Cayes, Belize. Participants were healthy volunteers planning to snorkel for 30 to 45 minutes. Ten minutes prior to swimming, each participant was directly observed

SUBMITTER: Boulware DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1965592 | biostudies-literature | 2006 May-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature