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.


Steps

1. The lions mane jelly fish is known for it's painful, but rarely fatal, sting. 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.

Tips

• Help can be found at lifeguard stands/stations.
• Many times the victim will not see what creature did the stinging. Always see a doctor as soon as possible after being stung by any marine creature.
• If the sting occurred in salt water, using liquids that are mostly fresh water can cause the stingers to inject more venom, not less.
• Peeing on it does not help. It is a myth!!!

Warnings

• This is written from personal experience and knowledge. If symptoms persist and worsen, see a doctor immediately.
• Use protective clothes and gloves to remove jellyfish tentacles from a sting victim.
• Vinegar is not recommended for Portuguese Man o' War stings(a deadly jellyfish).
• Do not apply any of these solutions into or around the eyes. Dip a clean towel or cloth into the solution and dab around the eyes.
• The box jellyfish is found in the ocean around Australia and some parts of Hawaii. You have virtually no chance of surviving its venomous sting, unless treated immediately. The pain is excruciating and overwhelming. After neutralizing and removing stingers, artificial respiration and cardiac massage may be required. Where antivenin is unavailable, pressure-immobilization may be used on limbs after inactivation of stinging cells, while the patient is being transported to the nearest medical center.
• Do not apply alcohol, spirits, ammonia, or urine (see below) to the sting site. These remedies are myths and can make the problem worse.
• Do not leave meat tenderizer on the skin for more than 15 minutes.
• Regarding the meat tenderizer and urine treatments: the literature gives conflicting reports on the effectiveness of these two treatments. Common sense suggests that they only be used as last resorts. If they are used, start by treating a small area. If the pain worsens, discontinue the treatment and consult a doctor. The variation in reports of effectiveness of meat tenderizer may be due to the different enzymes in different brands. The most effective enzyme is Papaine, (papaya enzyme.) The enzyme breaks down the proteins that make up the poison, turning them into harmless amino acids.