Print DiagnosisDiagnosing jellyfish stings generally doesn't require a visit to a health care provider. If you do go, your provider will likely be able to diagnose your injury by looking at it. Your health care provider may collect samples of the stingers to help guide treatment. TreatmentTreatment for jellyfish stings includes first-aid care and medical treatment. First-aid careMost jellyfish stings can be treated as follows: Carefully pluck visible tentacles with a fine tweezers. Soak the skin in hot water. Use water that's 110 to 113 F (43 to 45 C). It should feel hot, not scalding. Keep the affected skin immersed or in a hot shower until the pain eases, which might be 20 to 45 minutes. Apply 0.5% to 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment twice a day to the affected skin. Steps to avoidThese actions are unhelpful or unproved: Scraping out stingers Rinsing with human urine Rinsing with cold, fresh water Applying meat tenderizer Applying alcohol, ethanol or ammonia Rubbing with a towel Applying pressure bandages Medical treatment Emergency care. Someone having a severe reaction to a jellyfish sting may need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), life support or, if the sting is from a box jellyfish, antivenom medication. Oral medicine. A delayed rash or other skin reaction may be treated with oral antihistamines or corticosteroids. You may also be given oral pain medicine. Eye flushing. A jellyfish sting on or near the eye generally requires immediate medical care to control pain and flush the eye. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Symptoms & causes May 14, 2024 Print Show references Tintinalli JE, et al. Marine trauma. In: Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 9th ed. McGraw Hill; 2020. http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed April 28, 2022. Cegolon L, et al. Jellyfish stings and their management: A review. Marine Drugs. 2013; doi:10.3390/md11020523. Briggs JK. Bites, marine animal. In: Triage Protocols for Aging Adults. Wolters Kluwer; 2019. Li L, et al. Interventions for the symptoms and signs resulting from jellyfish stings. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013; doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009688.pub2/abstract. Ward NT, et al. Evidence-based treatment of jellyfish stings in North America and Hawaii. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2012; doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2012.04.010. Auerbach PS. In reply to evidence-based treatment of jellyfish stings in North America and Hawaii. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2013; doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2012.07.128. Marine envenomations: Jellyfish & hydroid stings. Divers Alert Network. https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/marine-envenomations-jellyfish-hydroid-stings/. Accessed April 28, 2022. Hornbeak KB, et al. Marine envenomation. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 2017; doi:10.1016/j.emc.2016.12.004. Lakkis NA, et al. Jellyfish stings: A practical approach. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. 2015; doi:org/10.1016/j.wem.2015.01.003. Marcus EN, et al. Jellyfish stings. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 28, 2022. Related Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Jellyfish stingsSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatment Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. NEW: Listen to Health Matters Podcast - Mayo Clinic PressNEW: Listen to Health Matters PodcastMayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20311564 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Jellyfish stings