Overview
There are many kinds of stings, scrapes, and cuts a child can get from being in the ocean.
Jellyfish stings leave raised, red marks called welts. The welts may last for 1 to 2 weeks. Your child may also get an itchy skin rash. This can appear 1 to 4 weeks after the sting.
Portuguese man-of-war stings make a red line with small white sores. In severe cases, they cause blisters and welts. These can look like a string of beads.
Seabather's eruption is a type of rash. You can get it after a sting by a jellyfish or sea anemone larvae. It can be itchy and annoying. But it usually goes away without treatment in 10 to 14 days.
Coral scrapes and cuts may take weeks or months to heal completely.
There are different things you can do to care for your child at home. You may need to wash the sting or scrape. Or you may need to change a bandage. Your doctor may give your child medicine to take. Or your child may get medicine to put on the affected area.
If you have concerns about an exposure to a sting, venom, or poison, call your local poison centre. In Alberta, call the Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS) at 1-800-332-1414 right away. Follow the advice they give about treatment.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter Q426 in the search box to learn more about "Marine Stings and Scrapes in Children: Care Instructions".