How the hell do you treat a jellyfish sting??

[mrs.rocket]

Despite the purple flag and my own dire warnings, my son jumped into ankle deep water at Blue Mountain and was promptly stung by a jellyfish. I didn't know how to treat it, and according to all of my research this evening, I did all the things you're NOT supposed to do - rinse with fresh water, rub it with a towel, let him run around screaming his head off, ect.

I've found conflicting reports on what to do - some sites suggest vinegar, others baking soda, some suggest peeing on it ad others say it's the worst thing you could possibly do. I don't expect this to be the last time this happens to someone in my family and would like to know what to do next time.


(Oh, and he really didn't scream his head off all that much. He was very brave and now extremely pleased to have such a dramatic, harrowing tale to share with all the other little six year old boys in our neighborhood.)

 

[jodiFL]

Sorry to hear about the little one. I did find this useful info....

Rubbing the sting will cause more nematocysts to fire and that will just mean more pain, he added. Auerbach said he carries a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and rubbing alcohol when he goes to the beach.
While vinegar is the best option, unseasoned meat tenderizer, baking soda, household ammonia, and lemon or lime juice are other things that can also prevent nematocysts from causing pain, he said. Baking soda has been used, particularly on the East Coast where stinging nettle jellies are common.
If using meat tenderizer, it must not be left on the skin for too long since it also can cause a rash.

But I have heard of many folks using urine (yea ,I know its gross) but they swear it works. So I would say that ammonia might do the trick.

 

[Jdarg]

We just stay in the water for awhile- the pain is lessened or completely goes away when the affected area is in the salt water. After about 30 minutes, the pain is gone.

 

[Ocean Lover]

We just stay in the water for awhile- the pain is lessened or completely goes away when the affected area is in the salt water. After about 30 minutes, the pain is gone.

But aren't you afraid of getting stung again? I always keep unseasoned meat tenderizer in my beach bag ...mostly for bee stings.

 

[Smiling JOe]

From my limited experience, staying in the salt water is the only thing that makes it not sting. I don't even know I've been stung until i come out and the air hits it. As you mention, people have mixed things to say for the common fixes. Tell Little Rocket to enjoy the pain, and the next time his mama tells him to do something, he better listen.

 

[chrisv]

Jellyfish Squish

Do not take a leak on it;-)

 

[Biff]

Agreed........Let one of your Peeps do so........worked for our gang last week...

thanks Cork........

Jellyfish Squish

Do not take a leak on it;-)

 

[Smiling JOe]

some people pay extra to have someone pee on them.

 

[John]

We sell a product called "Sting Stopper" for $4.99. It really works.

 

[Matt J]

Pretty much anything ammonia based. The nice thing is that most of the jelly fish around here aren't really all the painful compared to other places.

The other thing to watch with kids is for allergic reactions. Look for hives or swelling outside the original sting area and labored breathing. If you see these have them take a benadryll and head up to Sacred Heart.