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No Need to Feel the Sting: Natural Cures for Jellyfish Stings

Jellyfish stings can hurt and you should avoid them whenever possible. These hollow bodied animals are equipped with tentacles that have stinging units called nematocysts. The tentacles have nematocysts spaced down its length. The length of the tentacle is an indicator of how many stings you might receive. The symptoms of jellyfish stings vary. Stings usually consist of red lesions where the skin came into contact with the tentacle. Muscle spasms often occur when stung on a leg or an arm. The red lesions can become filled with fluid and after they heal they will have a different color than normal skin.

Repeated stings can result in vomiting, headaches, nausea, muscle weakness and heart rate arrhythmia. It’s important to get the victim out of the water as soon as possible as sever cramping could lead to drowning. You should watch for other symptoms such as excessive tearing, painful breathing and a runny nose. There is always the chance of a severe allergic reaction from a jellyfish sting. If you develop severe and persistent muscle spasms or if the area becomes infected you will need to contact a doctor.

There are some natural cures for jellyfish stings that can be used on the spot when a sting occurs. First, the tentacles should be lifted off with a stick or other object so there are no more stings to the person removing the tentacles. Use clothing, towels, seaweed or anything else available. Don’t scrape them off as this could cause further stings. Second, rinse the sting area with seawater or vinegar. It is important to remember not to scrub at the wound because it can activate the nematocysts and cause more venom to be let out. If no vinegar is available, human urine can do the same thing. Preferably a man’s urine as it is considered sterile.

You can use a woman’s urine but they are more prone to having a urinary tract infection which can cause bacteria to develop in the sting area. Do not wash with freshwater or put sun lotion or alcohol based liquid on the area. Alcohol was formerly recommended for help in stopping the sting, but actually stimulates them and increases pain. Do not rub at the wound or apply ice to it. The important thing is to get rid of the tentacles. Immobilize the area where the stingers are as any added movement can cause the venom to spread through the body. If the victim was stung on the arm, then keep that arm still to prevent spreading of the venom.

If after taking all steps and you still have stingers there are other ways to remove the stingers. Dust the area with flour or baking powder then scrape off with a dull back edge of a pocketknife or a butter knife. You also can use canned shaving cream or mud to coat the area then shave off any remaining stingers. The coatings will keep the nematocysts that haven’t been activated from delivering more toxins while getting rid of the tentacles. The important fact to remember is to get the tentacles off so the venom will not continue to drain into the body.

Other substances have been used to reduce the pain of jellyfish stings. Meat tenderizer, sugar, plant juices and baking soda have all been used with varying degrees of success. You can minimize pain with topical ointments with ingredients such as benzocaine.

Flushing the eye with at least one gallon of freshwater should treat eye stings. Mouth stings can be treated by diluted vinegar. Mix this treatment by adding one part vinegar to three parts of water unless there is swelling or difficulty in breathing.

The best thing would be to avoid jellyfish tentacles whenever possible. These tentacles can be very long and trail a long way from the main body. Stay as far away from them as possible. After storms damaged tentacles can be washed ashore and these too can cause severe stinging. Jellyfish washed ashore after a storm might be dead but the tentacles are still able to inflict stings. If you are going to explore the ocean after a sever storm, you should seriously consider wearing a diver’s wet suit for protection.