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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00114894

Prevention of Jellyfish Stings

Jellyfish stings are a common occurrence among ocean-goers worldwide with an estimated 150 million envenomations annually. Fatalities and hospitalizations occur annually, particularly in the Indo-Pacific regions. A new topical jellyfish sting inhibitor based on the mucous coating of the clown fish prevents 85% of jellyfish stings in laboratory settings. The field effectiveness is unknown. This is a field test to determine the real world effectiveness.

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Key information

Conditions

Bites and Stings Chemically-Induced Disorders Poisoning Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

Dry Tortugas National Park

Key West, Florida, 33041, United States

About this study

Jellyfish stings are a common occurrence among ocean-goers worldwide with an estimated 150 million envenomations annually. Fatalities and hospitalizations occur annually, particularly in the Indo-Pacific regions. A new topical jellyfish sting inhibitor based on the mucous coating of the clown fish prevents 85% of jellyfish stings in laboratory settings.

Clown fish inhabit within the tentacles of sea anemones, which have stinging cells similar to those of jellyfish, yet clown fish are not stung by the sea anemones. In controlled laboratory environments, the jellyfish sting inhibitor, Safe Sea™ when applied to volunteers' arms, prevented 100% of Chrysaora fuscescens stings and 70% of Chiropsalmus quadrumanus stings. Of the C. quadrumanus stings that occurred, their intensity was diminished. The field effectiveness is unknown. This is a field test to determine the real world effectiveness of Safe Sea to prevent jellyfish stings.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy volunteers planning on snorkeling for 30 to 45 minutes.

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnancy
  • Severe allergy to jellyfish
  • Allergy to any topical dermatologic product

Treatment and study plan

Safe Sea ™

Other

Safe Sea ™ applied one time at 2 mg/cm2 coverage

Placebo

Other

Placebo Coppertone® SPF15 sunscreen(Schering-Plough) applied at 2 mg/cm2 body coverage

Primary outcomes

  1. Incidence of jellyfish stings

    Time frame: during recreational saltwater exposure (~30 min)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Occurrence of seabather's eruption

    Time frame: within 48 hours of saltwater exposure

  2. impact of body hair on jellyfish stings

    Time frame: after recreational saltwater exposure

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Minnesota

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Field Study of the Prevention of Jellyfish Stings With a Topical Sting Inhibitor

Important dates

Study start
2004
Primary completion
2006
Study completion
2006
First posted
Jun 20, 2005
Registry last updated
Jul 30, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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