A More Serious Jellyfish Encounter

We were at a picnic/fellowship time last night with many of the staff here at the school. The tide was out so you could virtually walk out to some rocky mini-islands. Mike and Jonathan ventured off. After climbing down to return to shore, Jonathan's knee and hand tangled with a Jellyfish. The nasty buggers and invisible in the water, so he couldn't see it. They got to shore as quickly as possible and he still had tenticle thingies clinging to his hand. We brushed them off and went to the restaurant on the place to ask for vinegar. He doused the areas with that, which is suppose to neutralize the venom. We needed to pick out 2 stingers as well. He soaked the affected areas with vinegar drenched towels on the way home and then we went on line to find out what to watch for...in case we needed to take him to the ER. After 2 hours, he wasn't showing any signs of serious reaction and the pain had subsided quite a bit. Jellyfish stings sort of burn and itch at the same time. His hand has swollen up a fair amount and that is uncomfortable as well. He had a hard time sleeping last night, but he is still asleep now... so he did eventually get to sleep. I guess the affects of the sting can last a while, and the marks may remain for a week or two. I was so glad it wasn't the area knows for box jellyfish... which are especially dangerous. 2 weeks ago, when he got a brush from one of those, it was very mild, but the other teen who helped rescue the kids on the capsized jetski really suffered pain and discomfort from it. Lydia was hardly phased by it...even though she got a stinger. Who knew my Minnesota kids can withstand jellyfish stings??? (God did... and has protected even in our "playing" adventures... He is SO good!) So... it's back to teaching English today... and maybe we won't expect much from Jonathan today... or he may stay home. Time will tell.