How do you cure a jellyfish sting?

Answer 1

How to Treat a Jellyfish StingJellyfish deliver stings from specialized cells called nematocysts, which remain "alive" -- or at least reactive -- long after the animal dies. These cells inject a variety of toxins, including neurotoxins, that induce intense pain and paralysis. Only a few species of jellyfish have nematocysts that are hardy enough to actually pierce human skin.

This is important to know, because dealing with "unfired" cells is the first step. Note that there have been fatalities from stings, especially associated with anaphylaxis, so not exposing the rescuer is critical. (According to the medical dictionary, anaphylaxis is "a type of allergic reaction, in which the immune system responds to otherwise harmless substances from the environment, e.g., an allergic reaction.)

The Treatment Steps1. Tend to breathing, if this is an issue. Remember to protect the rescuer here. Be on the lookout for anaphylactic reactions.

2. If there is a chance the cells still remain on the skin, you need to remove them. The best way is to make a paste of baking soda and seawater, gently spreading that over the affected area, and gently scraping it off with a dull edge (like a butter knife). If not all the ingredients are available, do the best you can -- but try not to agitate untriggered cells. You can replace baking soda with talcum powder, mud, etc., or even skip it if you can't find any. DO NOT USE FRESH WATER! THIS TRIGGERS THE CELLS. Do not scrub the affected area (with sand or anything else), as this triggers unfired cells.

3. If you have Alcohol (EToH or Methanol), pour it liberally over the affected site. This seems to numb remaining cells.

4. If caught within the first hour or two of contact, you can try to denature the proteinic toxins by applying a hot compress to the affected area for 10-15 minutes. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BURN THE PATIENT. But make the compress as hot as the person can comfortably and safely handle.

5. Apply cold compresses to dull the pain, although this will not really remove it.

6. In more serious cases, systemic painkillers may be called for. I've never had topical painkillers work at all, as the toxins seem to be antagonistic to Benzocaine and the like, but it probably wouldn't hurt if applied at the end of all the procedures.

Urine, Yay or NayI have heard of urinating on the affected area. But I've never had this work for me. Actually, urine is more than likely just another way of accidentally triggering unfired cells. Urine contains small amounts of ammonia, which supposedly neutralizes the agents. It can be tried in an emergency, but I wouldn't count on miraculous results.

Answer 2

Vinegar (3-10% aqueous acetic acid) may be used as a common remedy to help with box jellyfish stings. Salt water may be used as an alternative if vinegar is unavailable; and may be preferred over vinegar.

Answer 3

I was once stung by a jellyfish on holiday on the face. (owch)

At first, it can be REALLY painful, but after a while the pain wears away.

To treat it, apply vinegar to the sting every 50 minutes.

You may feel as if its not working, as this can take a few hours for the pain to go, but it will eventually go with time.

If you have no vinegar around (if you're at the beach or can't find any vinegar) then the only other alternative is urine. (wee-wee!) This is going to sound disgusting, but if you are in pain this will help. Apply it the same way you would with the vinegar.

As soon as you have applied the vinegar or urine.. then you need to remove the jellyfish barbs, these may have fell out naturally, or they may still be on you. These are just like little spikes (think of them as like stings from bees) which are what cause you the pain in the first place. You need to remove these by scraping something along the sting, like a credit card. This will remove them from your skin to prevent further pain.

After removing the barbs and applying urine or vinegar to the sting every 50 minutes for about 3-4 hours, your sting shouldn't hurt much. It may feel numb, and may be slightly scarred. The numbness should be gone after about a couple of days. Have patience. The scarring may stay for longer however. ( I should know ive had my scar for 3/4 year.)

Your scar may last quite long but will get less and less noticable each day.

Apparently you can make it go faster by applying talcum powder.

So, that's all i know about treating a jellyfish sting.

Happy jellystingin'! ;)

Answer 4

If a serious box jellyfish or Physalia (Man of War) sting is suspected, immediately call for an aid car. Anti-venom is only available for one species, Chironex fleckeri, but hospitalization may be required for extensive envenomation by several other species. Box jellies are most common in tropical Indo-Pacific locales, especially in Australia and the Philippines, as well as Hawaii and occasionally in the Gulf of Mexico. Jellyfish stings in non-tropical areas and in the Atlantic Ocean are rarely life-threatening, but certainly are possible, especially in young children.

For box jellyfish stings, studies have shown that household vinegar will effectively disarm the remaining unfired stingers. In that case, douse the affected area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds. For Man of War stings, and non-box jelly stings, do not use vinegar since studies have shown that for all other species tested (Physalia, Lion's Mane, and Sea Nettle), vinegar can actually cause some or all of the remaining unfired stingers to discharge and thereby increases the envenomation.

Urine, baking soda, ammonia, papain (meat tenderizer), fresh water, and alcohol all have been shown to be ineffective, and in many cases will trigger some or all of the remaining unfired stingers. Ignore the wive's tales. The first rule of medical care is do no harm. A spray bottle of sea water and verbal reassurance will have the same placebo effect as any of the above home remedies, without risking further envenomation.

The next step is remove any remaining tentacles. Rinsing with sea water is the safest method, since the stingers can be triggered by pressure and/or chemical reactions. Do not rub and do not use fresh water. If needed, scrape or pluck any remaining tentacles off the skin.

Once the tentacles are removed, apply hot water if possible. Fresh water is fine at this point and usually is the only readily available source of hot water. The heat liable part of the venom will breakdown above 110 degrees F (44C), but the hotter the water is, the quicker the effect will be. Avoid scalding water, of course, and test the temperature with an uninjured limb. Use water as hot as can be reasonably tolerated from either a shower or a soaking basin. This treatment has been shown to be effective for Physalia and Irukandji jellyfish stings in three to twenty minutes, depending on the temperature. I would assume it is probably helpful for stings from other species, but that is just a guess.

Studies have also shown that ice packs can ameliorate the pain, but is much less effective than heat treatment. Lidocaine and other topical treatments may also help to relieve minor discomfort. Of course, consult a doctor if symptoms persist.

Answer 5

When you get stung by a white jellyfish you can put some vinegar on it. Another thing you could use is Windex, the cleaning suply. You must pee on it or put fresh water on it. You could also put shaving cream on it... all of these thing work, Ive tried them all

Answer 6

You put vinegar on the affected area and then when you can reach a pharmacy you will want to buy Benadryl to help with itching, swelling, and any possible allergic reaction. when you get stung by a jellyfish you need to neutralise the pH. if the sting is alkaline, you may want to use lemon juice or vinegar because they are acidic and will balance the pH which will stop the sting from hurting. the pH of jellyfish stings varies depending on the type of jellyfish. bottom line, dont swin in a sea infested with all sorts of jellyfish until you have done some research and come prepared. it would be wise not to anyway. :)

Answer 7

Use seawater to rinse away the tentacles that are still on your skin, then use vinegar to help stop the sting. See the Related link below.

Answer 8

try pouring Coca-Cola on it after nursing it and cleaning it thoroughly it. i dont know why it helps but it has a TON of acid so yeah!

Answer 9

just apply some vinegar