Abstract
Envenoming of patients by box jellyfish is caused by the injection of venoms via nematocysts, specialised cell organelles, and may result in significant long term scarring. In other cases, scarring may be minimal, however regular disappearances and re-occurrences of the initial sting marks may continue for up to 2–3 years. Box jellyfish venom has dermo necrotic components and it has often been thought that it is these factors which give rise to the scarring. However, treatment of skin damage due to envenomings from these animals using protocols similar for burn wounds appears to drastically reduce scarring, suggesting that secondary infections are the major cause of damage to the wound. Additionally, the nematocysts used for venom injection by these animals are left embedded in the skin of the victim, and this may play some role in the re-occurrence of injuries with time.
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