How-to Treat your Jellyfish Sting

Here's a step by step how-to on how to treat a jellyfish sting.

1. Do you know what type of jellyfish it was? 
If the jellyfish that stung you was a Box Jellyfish, then you need to seek emergency medical attention ASAP. A person can die within 3 minutes from a Box Jellyfish sting. If you do not know what type of jellyfish that stung you, check for the symptoms.

2. Watch for Symptoms of Anaphylaxis or a severe allergic reaction
Anaphylaxis can cause a drop in blood pressure resulting in anaphylactic shock or a heart attack.
♠     Itching
♠     Hives
♠     Shortness of Breath
♠     Wheezing
♠     Tightening of Throat
♠     Flushed Skin
♠     Weakness
♠     Dizziness

3. Rinse the tentacles off. (Do not touch the tentacles)
♠     Use hot water or vinegar if possible (Vinegar isn't recommended by scientists, but is a popular home remedy)
♠     Alternatively use sea water, do not use fresh as fresh water may worsen the pain.
Do NOT squeeze around the stung area tightly. You want to keep the blood circulating or the sting area may become intoxicated.

4. Peel off the tentacles. (Do not touch the tentacles)
Wear a glove. Do NOT use your bare hands. Use a stick, shell, tweezers, or the glove to remove any tentacles on the wound. Do NOT get the tentacles on yourself or on your clothes, the tentacles are still venomous. The tentacles must be removed because the tentacles will continue to sting until it has used all of its venom. 

5. Immerse the stung area in hot water.
If you don't have a thermometer, then try to get as hot water as possible that the victim can endure. Do NOT burn the victim. The water generally needs to be over 122 degrees to be extremely effective.

6. Pain Relief.
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen helps to relieve pain. For mild itching, use diphenhydramine. 
Urine doesn't always work on a jellyfish sting. Urine may not have enough acid to neutralize the venom. 


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Resources: 
How To Treat a Jellyfish Sting by Rod Brouhard
Jellyfish Facts by Nathan Dickerson