Jellyfish Stings

  1. Get Out of the Water
  2. Stop the Stinging
    1. Rinse the area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds.
    2. Remove tentacles with a pair of tweezers.
    3. After you remove the tentacles, soak the affected area in hot water (104-113 F or 40-45 C) for at least 20 minutes. If you don’t have a thermometer, make sure the water is hot but not scalding. A hot shower is OK if that’s easier than soaking. Stay in the water for 20 to 45 minutes.
  3. Treat Discomfort
    Use mild hydrocortisone cream or an oral antihistamine to relieve itching and swelling.
  4. Follow Up
    For less severe stings:
    1. Use ice packs or over-the-counter pain relievers or antihistamines for welts.
    2. Clean open sores three times a day and apply antibiotic ointment. Bandage if needed.

For a severe reaction:  Seek medical attention

How to Treat a Sting on or Near Your Eyes

It’s OK to wash your eyes with seawater. But get to the ER as soon as you can. They’ll flush your eyes with saline and give you pain medications. The ER doctor will probably send you to an ophthalmologist, a doctor who specializes in eye care.

Do Home Remedies Work?

Not really. Most are unproven. You may hear about these, but don’t try them:

Baking soda
Meat tenderizer
Pressure bandage
Urine
Alcohol
Scraping out stingers
Rinse with fresh water
Rub with a towel