1: The sting

All jellyfish (and Physalia ) have tiny stinging cells called nematocytes. When the trigger hair on the outside of a nematocyte is touched, a coiled thread tube inside the enclosed nematocyst is released, everting, and puncturing the skin, usually with enough force to reach the underlying dermis, where microdroplets of venom are released. Chirodropids are multitentacled and may have millions of nematocysts with discharging thread tubes, some of which actually transfix small capillaries. Hence, rapid envenomation with death within minutes can occur. ³

Why children are more vulnerable

• Their relatively smaller body mass results in a higher concentration of venom in their tissues and organs.
• They often remain in the water, pulling at adherent tentacles and suffering further envenomation to their inner wrists and forearms, which may greatly increase the total venom dose injected. ^3,4

• They (and women) have less hairy skin than men, enabling closer tentacle contact.