Cochrane · systematic review · CD009688
Interventions for the symptoms and signs resulting from jellyfish stings
McGee, RG, Webster, AC, Lewis, SR, et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2023 · Cochrane Library
Pain, Palliative and Supportive CareAMSTAR 2: not assessed
SoF tableOnly the outcomes this review put in its Summary of Findings table are listed (the Cochrane Handbook caps them at about seven per comparison). Its other analyses are not shown here.
Questions
14
current version
GRADE rated
10
No studies
4
Included studies
NR
No studies 4 · 28.6%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 10 · 71.4%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
Questions and results
Application of heat versus application of cold for the symptoms and signs resulting from jellyfish stings
Population: people stung accidentally by bluebottle jellyfish (Physalia) and box jellyfish that do not cause Irukandji syndrome (Hawaiian box jellyfish (Carybdea alata) and major box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri))
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
At least a clinically significant reduction in pain within 6 hours Reported in studies as: clinically improved or reduced pain,a or cessation of pain at end of treatmentb Application of heat vs application of cold | RR 2.25 [1.42, 3.56] | 2 studies · 142 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Adverse events due to treatment Minor adverse events, reported in studies as: exacerbation in pain after treatment; burn as a result of hot‐water immersion, or transient erythema, or adverse effects due to application of ice Application of heat vs application of cold | RR 0.5 [0.05, 5.19] | 2 studies · 142 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Clinically significant reduction in pain at 0 to 1 hour Reported in studies as: clinically improved or reduced paina Application of heat vs application of cold | RR 2.66 [1.71, 4.15] | 1 study · 88 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Cessation of pain at end of treatmentb Application of heat vs application of cold | RR 1.63 [0.81, 3.27] | 1 study · 54 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Retreatment with the same intervention Application of heat vs application of cold | RR 0.19 [0.01, 3.9] | 1 study · 96 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Retreatment with the alternative treatment (heat or cold application) at 0 to 1 hour Application of heat vs application of cold | RR 1 [0.55, 1.82] | 1 study · 54 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Dermatological signs up to 1 week after the sting Reported in studies as: itchiness, red mark, or rash Application of heat vs application of cold | RR 1.02 [0.63, 1.65] | 2 studies · 98 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Topical applications for the symptoms and signs resulting from jellyfish stings
Population: people stung accidentally by box jellyfish that do not cause Irukandji syndrome (Hawaiian box jellyfish; Carybdea alata) and healthy volunteers stung by Indonesian sea nettle jellyfish (Chrysaora chinensis)
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
At least a clinically significant reduction in pain within 6 hours Reported in study as complete cessation of pain.a | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 62 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Adverse events due to treatment | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 97 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Clinically significant reduction in pain | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Cessation of pain at end of treatmenta | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 62 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Retreatment with the same intervention at 0 to 1 hour | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Retreatment with the alternative intervention at 0 to 1 hour | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Dermatological signs up to 1 week after the sting | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |