|  | Conditions Treatments | Wounds Injuries

Home Remedies for a Jellyfish Sting

A jellyfish sting will put a damper on your beach vacation. Jellyfish are beautiful yet dangerous sea creatures that inhabit deep and shallow parts of the ocean. Sunbathers and ocean swimmers must be aware of jellyfish to avoid getting stung. Humans experience jellyfish stings as painful to life-threatening. The severity of the sting depends on the type of jellyfish and on how much venom seeps into the victim's body.

  1. Vinegar

    • Household vinegar comforts the pain from a jellyfish sting and deactivates the nematocysts, or venom, that jellyfish release. Apply the vinegar topically to the area that was stung, recommends WebMD. Pour the mixture directly onto the affected area, or soak paper towels in the vinegar and let the skin absorb it. Avoid rubbing the vinegar into the sting. Substitute rubbing alcohol if vinegar is not accessible.

    Seawater and Baking Soda

    • After a jellyfish sting, immediately prepare a seawater and baking soda paste (talcum powder will do, too). Apply the paste to the area of the sting, wait for it to dry and scrape off the dried paste, according to MayoClinic.com. This home remedy removes any lingering stingers left in the skin and will relieve discomfort. After removing the tentacles, immerse the skin in hot water for 20 minutes, making the water as hot as the person can tolerate.

    Other Household Items

    • According to an August 2006 article on ABC News, lemon juice, lime juice, ammonia and unseasoned meat tenderizers will also relieve the pain from jellyfish stings. If you have hydrocortisone cream handy, dab some on the skin once you remove the tentacles. This decreases the skin's irritation and abets healing. See your doctor for a topical steroid cream if hydrocortisone cream is not strong enough.

Wounds Injuries - Related Articles