Here’s exactly what to do if you get stung by a jellyfish

Jellyfish sting treatment should include vinegar, hot water and possibly a trip to the ER

Been stung by a jellyfish? It’s more common than you might think: USA Today recently reported that more than 600 people were treated for jellyfish stings in Central Florida on a single weekend.The good news is that while they can be painful, jellyfish stings are rarely life-threatening, and they’re easily treatable. Depending on the kind that stings you, most pain typically peaks five minutes after the sting occurs and dies down within a few hours. Generally, it won’t last longer than 24 hours. There are a lot of myths on what to do in the aftermath of a sting, but here’s what to do — and what definitely not to do — in case a jellyfish gets you. Get out of the water If you’ve been stung, return to dry land as soon as possible to avoid getting stung again.Don’t rinse off the affected area with drinking water It could increase the pain. The nematocysts in the cells that cause the sting will actually release more venom and cause more pain. First, rinse with saltwater and try to avoid touching the affected area with your bare hands.Urinating on the sting does nothing The origins of the urination theory are unknown, but it was popularized by a “Friends” episode where Chandler “helps” Monica. Don’t believe everything you see on television though, because “it’s a total myth,” Ted Szymanski, doctor of osteopathic medicine and assistant professor of emergency medicine with the Mayo Clinic said. “There’s no truth to it.”Do use vinegar Szymanski suggests dousing the infected area with vinegar or acetic acid to immediately relieve pain.Shaving cream might work, tooIf you don’t have vinegar handy, shaving cream may also relieve pain, Syzmanski says. “If you put shaving cream on, it keeps nematocysts intact and they don’t rupture. You can wipe it off.”Heat is keyIn a set of guidelines provided to Prevention, the Red Cross recommends removing remaining tentacles with a “blunt object.” After rinsing the area with sea water, apply hot water or a hot pack “as hot as the patient can tolerate for 20 minutes” or until pain is relieved. Seek help for worsening symptoms Jellyfish-sting injuries are generally confined to irritation, burning and stinging sensations on the affected area. However, in rare cases of severe envenomation, one might experience vomiting, trouble walking, nausea, headaches and seizures. If that’s the case, Szymanski suggests seeking immediate medical attention at a nearby hospital.

Been stung by a jellyfish? It’s more common than you might think: USA Today recently reported that more than 600 people were treated for jellyfish stings in Central Florida on a single weekend.

The good news is that while they can be painful, jellyfish stings are rarely life-threatening, and they’re easily treatable. Depending on the kind that stings you, most pain typically peaks five minutes after the sting occurs and dies down within a few hours. Generally, it won’t last longer than 24 hours.

There are a lot of myths on what to do in the aftermath of a sting, but here’s what to do — and what definitely not to do — in case a jellyfish gets you.

Get out of the water

If you’ve been stung, return to dry land as soon as possible to avoid getting stung again.

Don’t rinse off the affected area with drinking water

It could increase the pain. The nematocysts in the cells that cause the sting will actually release more venom and cause more pain. First, rinse with saltwater and try to avoid touching the affected area with your bare hands.

Urinating on the sting does nothing

The origins of the urination theory are unknown, but it was popularized by a “Friends” episode where Chandler “helps” Monica. Don’t believe everything you see on television though, because “it’s a total myth,” Ted Szymanski, doctor of osteopathic medicine and assistant professor of emergency medicine with the Mayo Clinic said. “There’s no truth to it.”

Do use vinegar

Szymanski suggests dousing the infected area with vinegar or acetic acid to immediately relieve pain.

Shaving cream might work, too

If you don’t have vinegar handy, shaving cream may also relieve pain, Syzmanski says. “If you put shaving cream on, it keeps nematocysts intact and they don’t rupture. You can wipe it off.”

Heat is key

In a set of guidelines provided to Prevention, the Red Cross recommends removing remaining tentacles with a “blunt object.” After rinsing the area with sea water, apply hot water or a hot pack “as hot as the patient can tolerate for 20 minutes” or until pain is relieved.

Seek help for worsening symptoms

Jellyfish-sting injuries are generally confined to irritation, burning and stinging sensations on the affected area. However, in rare cases of severe envenomation, one might experience vomiting, trouble walking, nausea, headaches and seizures. If that’s the case, Szymanski suggests seeking immediate medical attention at a nearby hospital.



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