What specific temperature range should the affected area be soaked in for heat application to effectively denature venom proteins?
Water between $107^{\circ}\text{F}$ and $115^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($42^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $45^{\circ}\text{C}$).
Heat application is established as a superior method for pain relief following the initial rinsing phase of jellyfish sting treatment. The recommended protocol involves soaking the affected region in water specifically controlled between $107^{\circ}\text{F}$ and $115^{\circ}\text{F}$, corresponding to $42^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $45^{\circ}\text{C}$. This duration for soaking is typically between 20 to 40 minutes. The effectiveness of heat stems from its ability to denature the complex protein structures that make up the venom, thereby reducing the biological activity of the injected toxins and significantly mitigating the patient's pain sensation. This method is generally preferred over the use of cold packs for managing the lingering throbbing discomfort.
