How to Soothe a Jellyfish Sting

Like a bee sting, jellyfish stingers can remain embedded in the victim. Treating jellyfish stings involves two steps. The first step is to deactivate any stingers. The second step is to remove the stingers from the victim's skin. If you can't get to a doctor immediately, these steps may provide relief from the jellyfish venom.

1. Remain calm! There are only a few jelly fish whose sting is deadly or potentially deadly. Panicking would be unhelpful.
2. Get out of the water! Jellyfish stings can be extremely painful and you could lose your ability to swim.
3. Deactivate the remaining stingers. In the case of a plain old jellyfish sting, blot or pour 3-10% percent acetic acid solution (white vinegar) on the sting with a clean cloth. If no vinegar is available you can use salt water or any type of meat tenderizer which has Papaine (papaya enzyme) to neutralize the venom. See Warnings regarding the meat tenderizer treatment.
4. Remove deactivated stingers by applying shaving foam to the sting area. Scrape the skin closely with a razor, knife blade, or credit card.
5. Remove any venom in the skin by applying a paste of baking soda and water and using a cloth covering. If possible, reapply paste every 15-20 minutes. Ice can be applied to stop the spread of venom until either of these is available.
6. Soothe any remaining skin irritations with over-the-counter antihistamine pills or creams containing diphenhydramine. One example is Benadryl (tm).
7. Visit a doctor as soon as possible, especially if the victim is experiencing any symptoms worse than skin irritation.
8. Make sure to wrap the sting after treatment to keep from getting infected.

    If symptoms persist and worsen, see a doctor immediately.