How to treat a Jellyfish Sting topically?

My family and I are planning a trip to the beach this weekend and I am putting together a 1st aid kit. I have what I need for an anaphylatic reaction (epi-pen, benadryl) but I can not get a straight answer on topical treatment. It seems to be universal to start with vinegar to stop the stingers from "firing" but what after that?

Believe it or not, even in med school, they tell you to urinate on the sting if nothing else is available. Vinegar will also help neutralize the sting.

After that, Benedryl and applying ice to the area will help with the inflammation.

I commend you for thinking of putting together a first aide kit for your outing. Most people wait until after something happens before they even think about putting together a kit!

many people will urinate on stings ( no lie ).

Self-Care at Home
Care of the injured person begins immediately:



Protect rescuers from contact with the jellyfish or jellyfish tentacles. All rescuers should consider protective clothing and gloves in order to protect themselves so they can better rescue and treat the victim.


Remove the victim from the water.


Rinse the affected area with salt water or don鈥檛 rinse it at all. Do not rinse the involved area of skin with fresh water, because it will further activate nematocysts and worsen the reaction.


Using protective gloves or forceps, remove any tentacles still in contact with the victim.


Apply acetic acid 5% (white vinegar). This will inactivate undischarged nematocysts and the toxin and will help to decrease symptoms.


Use over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to control pain symptoms. Immobilize the area that was poisoned to prevent further spread. For example, if a foot was stung, encourage the victim to keep the area still with as little movement as possible.


If the victim appears ill, do the following:


Lay the victim down.


If the victim begins vomiting, roll the victim onto his or her side so that the vomit is not breathed in.


Call for an ambulance.

Rub meat tenderizer on a sting. mix it with a tiny bit of water, and it should help. Otherwise, if you have some kind of lidocaine, that will work. Lidocaine is very difficult to get ahold of though, so go with the meat tenderizer. worst case scenario....urine works.. both that is a bit disgusting.

After that, the benedryl and icepack! You can give 2, 25mg. caps safely and asprin every 4 hours will relieve the inflammation (take with food) and pain. I can speak from personal experience, jelly fish/man-o-wars dead or alive will put a sting on you even if you brush up against them. It's very painful. I'm impressed that you even thought of this idea! I think that's great to plan ahead.

Use vinegar, urine does not work.

Apply vinegar on the affected area. It will relieve the pain for a while until you get medical attention as needed.