Jellyfish Sting Natural Treatments

Jellyfish have trailing tentacles that contains thousands of small, barbed stingers used to immobilize their prey. Although jellyfish are not aggressive toward people, jellyfish stings are very common when a person brushes against a jellyfish's tentacles. The pain from a sting may be quite severe. However, the Mayo Clinic states that jellyfish stings generally can be treated with home remedies and usually get better within a few weeks.

Seawater

• If you are stung by a jellyfish, stay calm and gently pour seawater over the area that was stung to rinse away any tentacles. Don't use fresh water, which may increase the pain, and don't rub the area that was stung because this may cause additional stinging.

Vinegar

• Plain white distilled vinegar, available in most grocery stores and some pharmacies, may be effective at deactivating any stingers that may have penetrated your skin. Just gently pour the vinegar over the area. If you're on a beach with a lifeguard, she probably has a spray bottle filled with vinegar to help those who get stung by jellyfish.

Natural "Paste"

• You might also try making a paste from seawater and baking soda and applying this to the sting. Let the "paste" dry on your skin, and then scape it away gently with the edge of a seashell or a plastic credit card to remove any stingers that remain.

Hot Water

• If there's no lifeguard nearby and you're not near a store where you can buy vinegar or baking soda, you may want to try soaking the area in hot water. For this method to be effective, the water has to be as hot as you can stand without burning your skin. Heat the water gradually so that you don't scald the area.

Caution

• The venom from some jellyfish can be toxic to people and may require medical attention. If you experience shortness of breath, your throat tightens, or if you feel weak or dizzy after a jellyfish sting, go straight to an emergency room so that the medical staff can evaluate your vital functions and perform any necessary care.