You will probably notice the sting right away. It might feel like a prickle, needle poke, or a bee sting.
Most jellyfish are not deadly, but some—like the box jellyfish—are highly dangerous, and some people can experience allergic reactions to other jellyfish stings. Err on the side of safety and call 911 if you’re reacting badly.
If you’re confident that all you need is self-treatment, remember to observe the following protocol:
Rinse the affected area with saltwater Avoid rinsing with fresh water, as this will likely cause the pain to worsen.
Treat the affected area with vinegar if available Rinse the affected area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds. Do not use alcohol, ethanol, or ammonia.
Remove any remaining stingers from the affected area Use tweezers or a towel—NOT your bare hands—to remove any possibility of additional stings.
Take pain relievers or an antihistamine To relieve initial pain or swelling, try over-the-counter pain relievers and antihistamines.
Talk to a lifeguard and/or healthcare professional To learn more about the jellyfish sting, or if you have any questions to ask a professional, trained beach lifeguards or your doctor are there to help you.
Use our Sun and Sting Relief Gel For immediate and long term jellyfish sting soothing relief—also helpful for sun and other outdoor hazard relief—use our
Stream2Sea Sun and Sting Relief Gel.
It contains powerful enzymes and concentrated essential oils, all in our antioxidant base with organic aloe and green tea. Like all of our products, it’s safe for you and the environment, so you can get right back to your adventure!