Jellyfish burn: what to do (and when to go to the hospital)

Jellyfish stings are a relatively frequent accident on the beach, as these animals live in practically all types of water.

The symptoms of the sting appear after coming into contact with the jellyfish’s tentacles, which contain a poisonous substance that, when in contact with the skin, causes pain and burning.

Although most jellyfish stings are not life-threatening and can be treated immediately, there are also some species that have stronger venom. In these cases, the symptoms are more intense and the person needs to be assisted by a medical team.

Main symptoms

The most common symptoms that may appear after a jellyfish sting include:

• Dor non-local gives bite;
• Burning sensation or intense itching;
• Redness at the bite site.

Depending on the type of jellyfish, these symptoms may be more or less intense.

In more serious situations, blisters may appear on the skin and/or other more general symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, muscle cramps, tingling or nausea. In these cases, it is important to receive care at the hospital.

What to do after the bite

In most cases, jellyfish stings can be treated immediately on site and at home by following these steps:

1. Wash the area with sea water

Seawater helps remove the poison from the skin and also eliminates some of the jellyfish’s tentacles. It is important to avoid using fresh water, as it can stimulate the poison, worsening symptoms.

2. Remove the tentacles

The best way to remove jellyfish tentacles that may have stuck to the skin is to use tweezers or a popsicle stick, for example.

However, since these tentacles can be very stuck together, to make the task easier, it is recommended to continue pouring seawater over the area while removing the tentacles.

3. Apply white vinegar

After removing the tentacles, an excellent strategy to alleviate the pain and neutralize some of the venom is to apply white kitchen vinegar directly to the affected area for 30 seconds. Vinegar contains a substance, known as acetic acid, which neutralizes the poison in jellyfish.

Under no circumstances should urine or alcohol be applied to the area as they may worsen the irritation.

4. Place the area in hot water

According to several studies, placing the affected area in hot water for around 20-30 minutes helps to relieve pain and inflammation. Another option, if it is not possible to immerse the affected area, is to take a warm water bath, letting the water fall on the burn for a few minutes.

This step should only be done after removing the tentacles, to prevent the fresh water from releasing more venom.

5. Apply cold water compresses

After adopting the previous measures, if the pain and discomfort persist, cold water compresses can be applied to the burned area.

Pain and discomfort typically improve after 20 minutes, however, it may take up to 1 day for the pain to completely disappear. During this period, it is recommended to take painkillers or anti-inflammatories, such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.

When to go to the hospital

If the pain lasts more than 1 day or other symptoms appear such as vomiting, nausea, muscle cramps, difficulty breathing or a feeling of a lump in the throat, it is recommended to go to the hospital immediately to assess the need for treatment with an antidote or antibiotics, for example.

How to care for the burn

The most important thing in the days after the jellyfish burn is to apply cold compresses to the area to relieve pain and inflammation, however, if small wounds appear on the skin, you should also wash the area 2 to 3 times a day with water and neutral pH soap, covering with a sterile bandage or compresses. See also home remedies that can help treat the burn.

If the wounds take a long time to heal, it may be necessary to consult a general practitioner or dermatologist to start using an antibiotic ointment, such as Nebacetin, Esperson or Dermazine, for example.