Box jellyfish (Carybdea alata) in Waikiki: their influx cycle plus the analgesic effect of hot and cold packs on their stings to swimmers at the beach: a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

Abstract

The study measured the analgesic effect of hot and cold packs on box jellyfish (Carybdea alata) stings to Waikiki swimmers at the beach. Analysis of data showed a minimal trend toward pain relief 10 minutes after the application of hot packs, particularly when the initial pain was mild to moderate. Cold packs showed no clinically significant relief of pain, compared to the control. Data tracking shows that most box jellyfish appear in Waikiki waters on the 9th or 10th day after the full moon.