Jellyfish sting urine cure

It is a myth that urine cures jellyfish sting or can help with jellyfish stings. In reality, Jellyfish sting urine cure can cause more harm to the jellyfish sting victim.

The use of vinegar on jellyfish sting wound

When a jellyfish sting victim is treated, dilute acetic acid 5% - 10% or white vinegar is often put on the victim's jellyfish sting wound. 

How vinegar helps jellyfish sting wounds

Vinegar will inactivate undischarged jellyfish stinging cells. The toxin will also help to decrease the symptoms of jellyfish sting. Pouring vinegar on the tentacle before you remove it deactivates the jellyfish stinging cells so more don't fire as you remove it.

Using human urine on Jellyfish sting, a myth

If there is no vinegar handy, it is a myth that human urine will do the same job. Also, a man's urine is thought to be better than woman's urine. This is because male urine is considered more sterile because men are less likely to have a urinary tract infection.

The effect of urine on Jellyfish stings

Urine causes the undischarged stinging cells to fire causing additional stings. This is unlike pouring vinegar on the tentacle before you remove it because vinegar deactivates the stinging cells so more don't fire as you remove it.

Portuguese Man-O-War sting

However, if the sting is from a Portuguese Man-O-War, vinegar will cause additional firing.

Should urine be used on jellyfish sting wounds?

Perhaps applying urine after the tentacles are removed helps with the discomfort, but most research indicates it doesn't. Cold packs are recommended.