Jellyfish stings are painful, irritating and can potential ruin a fabulous day at the beach. A variety of home remedies may offer quick relief when the unsuspecting jellyfish sting occurs. Beach goers should not worry about the possibility of having to use urine to neutralize a jellyfish sting---that is simply an old wives' tale, reports "ABC News" Health. Still, it is important to seek medical attention if symptoms do not subside. MayoClinic.com explains that most jellyfish stings eventually subside, but the stings of some species of jellyfish cause serious reactions and even death if left untreated.
Remove Tentacles
Once out of the water, a person should closely inspect the skin and identify any attached tentacles. The tentacles should be removed using a seashell, stick, or other object and not the hands. The stingers can be removed by scraping the skin with an edge of a seashell, similar to shaving. An old credit card or library card may also work. Even if the jellyfish is dead or if small pieces of a its carcass are attached to the skin, toxins may still release and cause irritation to human skin. Seawater may also be poured onto the skin to wash away tentacles and stingers. Fresh water should not be applied to the skin because further irritation will occur, reports MayoClinic.com.
Vinegar
Vinegar often neutralizes the stingers, or nematocysts, of North American jellyfish, reports "ABC News" Health, which recommends soaking a paper towel or soft cloth with white vinegar and applying it to the affected skin for about 30 minutes for optimal sting relief. The vinegar should not be rubbed into the skin. You can pour the solution onto the skin if a cloth is not available. If vinegar is not available, rubbing alcohol might also neutralize the stingers. MayoClinic.com warns that vinegar is not effective on Chesapeake sea nettle stings and makes the condition worse by releasing additional stingers.
Itching and Pain Relief
An ice pack applied to the area may decrease pain, itching, swelling and irritation. For itching, apply over-the-counter calamine lotion to the skin and allow it to dry. MayoClinic.com also suggests rinsing the area with hot water for about 20 minutes for additional symptom relief, once all the stingers and tentacles are removed.
