What is the recommended aftercare for jellyfish stings?

Recommended Aftercare for Jellyfish Stings

For jellyfish sting aftercare, apply vinegar (4-6% acetic acid) liberally for at least 30 seconds to inactivate nematocysts, then immerse the affected area in hot water (approximately 40°C/104°F) for 20-30 minutes or until pain subsides. 1

Immediate Treatment Protocol

1. Remove remaining tentacles safely:

   • Lift or pull tentacles while avoiding direct skin contact
   • If mechanical removal isn't possible, rinse with seawater 1

2. Deactivate nematocysts:

   • Apply vinegar liberally for at least 30 seconds
   • If vinegar is unavailable, use a baking soda slurry as an alternative 1

3. Pain management:

   • Immerse in hot water (as hot as tolerated, ~40°C/104°F) for 20-30 minutes
   • If hot water is unavailable, apply dry hot packs 1
   • For additional pain relief, topical lidocaine (4-5% or 10-15%) can be effective 1, 2

Treatments to AVOID

• Do not use fresh water, alcohol, or methylated spirits as these can trigger additional nematocyst discharge 1, 3
• Do not scrape the area as this may cause further nematocyst discharge 1
• Avoid pressure immobilization bandages, meat tenderizer, or folk remedies like urine, as they have no scientific support and may cause harm 1
• Do not use aluminum sulfate for jellyfish stings 1

Monitoring and Follow-up Care

• Watch for infection signs and manage according to general wound care guidelines 1, 4

• Monitor for systemic reactions requiring emergency services:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Signs of shock
  • Severe pain 1

• Manage potential skin complications:

  • Delayed skin reactions may occur in the form of painless, itchy erythematous papular rashes at the sting site 5
  • Hypertrophic scarring should be managed according to general wound care principles 1, 4
  • Hyperpigmentation may be treated with topical bleaching agents if it develops 4

Important Considerations

• Treatment efficacy varies by jellyfish species, with the guidelines above being most applicable to North American jellyfish species 1
• While most jellyfish stings cause only local reactions, some species can cause severe systemic effects or even death 6
• Recent evidence has challenged some traditional treatments, highlighting the importance of following updated guidelines 3