Resposta

Abstract

With regard to the correspondence with suggestions about the article "Comparative Dermatology: Lesion Caused by Attack of the Portuguese Man-of-War (Physalia physalis)", we thank the valuable comments that only add to the discussion on the subject, but we would like to clarify a few points. Although the word "attack" may seem a bit dramatic, we believe it is an accurate description, since the Portuguese Man-of-War has urticating filaments that "fire", in analogy with a "weapon", when in contact with a "prey". Common occurrences in our environment, such as when children are stung by Man of War with dramatic results and when bathers get in "not-so-safe" waters and end up suffering multiple injuries, also come to mind. We are thankful for the information that the antivenom serum for cnidarians is only available in Australia and is unavailable in Brazil. In relation to treatment, when we conducted the literature review, the few articles we found on the subject suggested the removal of nematocysts with blunt objects. In the book Fischer AA. Atlas of Aquatic Dermatology. 1st ed.