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Jellyfish sting

Jellyfish sting

Overview

Symptoms of a marine animal sting can include pain, burning, swelling, redness, and bleeding. To treat a sting, keep the victim very still and wipe off stingers or tentacles with a towel or sand being careful to avoid contact with the tentacles or stingers. Wash the area with salt water. In some cases soaking the wound in very warm water is recommended.

Review Date 11/2/2023

Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.