Jellyfish Stings

Jellyfish sting treatment

• Put dilute acetic acid 5% - 10% (white vinegar) on the victim's jellyfish sting wound. This will inactivate undischarged stinging cells. The toxin will also help to decrease the symptoms. Pouring vinegar on the tentacle before you remove it deactivates the jellyfish stinging cells so more don't fire as you remove it. Click here to read about using urine in jellyfish sting cure.

If some stinging cells (also called nematocyst) still would not leave the skin after treating with ocean water and vinegar or urine, then try dusting the jellyfish stung area with baking power or flour, then carefully scrape off with the dull back edge of a butter knife or use aerosol spay shaving cream to coat the area, then shave off the remaining stinging cells.

• If the pain is too much, use over the counter pain medications such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, advil, motrin, etc to reduce the pain. Don't move the jellyfish stung area because the poison may spread.

Jellyfish stings symptoms

• The jellyfish stung area will have painful raised red lesions in lines (consistent with contact with the jellyfish tentacles)

• Muscle spasms may develop

• The raised red lesions may develop into fluid filled lesions and may heal with pigmentation.

• If come into contact with jellyfish extensively or with repeated exposures, systemic reactions can take place, such as; nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, muscle weakness and irregular heart rate may occur.

• Other symptoms such as excessive tearing, runny nose and painful breathing