Zinc Gluconate for jellyfish' venom

[Swing Ninja]

Hi,
I just read this PBS article (Unlocking the Secrets of a Swimmer's Scourge, the Jellyfish Sting | The Rundown | PBS NewsHour) about using Zinc Gluconate ointment as an anti-venom against jellyfish' sting.

I don't think it's available for purchase yet. But I'm just wondering if anyone has ever tried swallowing a couple of over-the-counter supplement pills (from Amazon, Walgreens,etc) before their dive and worked (or sort-of worked).

 

[TSandM]

I wonder if it's the zinc or the gluconate (which is rapidly metabolized in the liver) that is protective. If it's the zinc, maybe one could try zinc oxide ointment, which is the white lifeguard sunscreen stuff.

 

[DocVikingo]

I wonder if it's the zinc or the gluconate (which is rapidly metabolized in the liver) that is protective. If it's the zinc, maybe one could try zinc oxide ointment, which is the white lifeguard sunscreen stuff.

Interesting question, and one that could also be asked about similar metallic salt compounds such as the frequent first line tx for hyperkalemia, calcium gluconate, and the range of metal salts that have been used in other antivenins.

Cheers,

DocV

---------- Post added September 12th, 2014 at 03:39 AM ----------

...using Zinc Gluconate ointment as an anti-venom against jellyfish' sting. I don't think it's available for purchase yet. But I'm just wondering if anyone has ever tried swallowing a couple of over-the-counter supplement pills (from Amazon, Walgreens,etc) before their dive and worked (or sort-of worked).

I do not believe that zinc gluconate is commercially available in an ointment preparation at this time

As for oral zinc gluconate use, IMHO this is ill-advised unless done at the direction of a physician. For starters, it can be hard on the GI tract.

Regards,

DocVikingo