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What Are the Treatments for Jellyfish Stings?

Jellyfish stings are a sometimes unfortunate side effect of swimming in the ocean. They can be a minor annoyance or a life-threatening emergency, depending on the kind of jellyfish that stings you and where the sting is located. Most of us however, will only have to deal with the minor-annoyance kind, but even those stings can be extremely uncomfortable.

  1. Prevention

    • If at all possible, avoid swimming in the ocean during jellyfish season. This is when the waters are the warmest, a time that varies by geographic location. If you see a jellyfish, stay away from it. Some have very long tentacles that you may not see. Jellyfish are very cool to look at but stay out of reach!

    First Steps to Treatment

    • When you are first stung by a jellyfish, get out of the water immediately to prevent additional stings. You must remove the clinging tentacles that will be attached to your skin. You can use sand and salt water, which is most readily available or something hard like a credit card or a butter knife. Do not use your hands or fresh water. Once the tentacles are removed, you should douse the area with vinegar. If you do not have vinegar available, you can use rubbing alcohol. Urine has been reported to give pain relief in an emergency, but frequently it doesn't have the high amount of acid needed to stop the toxins. If possible, soak the area for 10 minutes in vinegar for the best results.

    After the Jellyfish Sting

    • The sting will probably hurt for a while. You can apply a paste of baking soda and water to the affected area and then rinse with vinegar for a topical treatment. You can also take Tylenol or Motrin for pain relief as directed on the bottle.

    When to Seek Treatment

    • The Portuguese Man o' War and the Box Jellyfish are two of the most deadly jellyfish in the world. If you are stung by either of these, seek emergency medical treatment immediately. In the case of any jellyfish sting, watch the victim for signs of confusion, shallow breathing, chest pain or shock. Should any of these occur, seek immediate treatment and/or perform CPR if necessary.

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