Itching, swelling, numbness
Severe reactions: difficulty breathing, chest pain, muscle cramps (rare, but seek emergency care)
What to do:
Rinse with vinegar (if available). Vinegar neutralizes the stinging cells of many jellyfish species.
Do NOT rinse with fresh water (fresh water can cause unfired stinging cells to discharge, making it worse).
Remove tentacles with tweezers or a gloved hand (don’t use bare fingers).
Apply heat (hot water immersion or hot packs) – heat breaks down the venom proteins.Bottled Water
Take antihistamines for itching and swelling.
What NOT to do:
Don’t rub the area (can release more venom).
Don’t apply ice (cold can worsen some jellyfish stings).
Don’t use urine (this is a myth – it can actually make things worse).
Seek emergency care if: Difficulty breathing, chest pain, muscle cramps, nausea, or if the sting covers a large area.
2. Stingrays (The Bottom-Dwellers)
Stingrays bury themselves in sandy, shallow waters. They’re not aggressive, but if you step on one, their tail barb can puncture your foot or leg.
Symptoms of a stingray sting:
Immediate, intense, throbbing pain
Bleeding from the puncture wound
Swelling, discoloration
Nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps (severe reactions)
What to do:
Immerse the wound in hot water (as hot as you can tolerate without burning, 110-115°F). Heat breaks down the venom.
Remove any visible barb (if easily accessible – don’t dig).
Clean the wound with soap and water.
Control bleeding with direct pressure.
Seek medical attention (stingray wounds are prone to infection, and the barb may leave fragments).
Pro tip: Do the “stingray shuffle” – slide your feet along the sandy bottom instead of lifting and stepping. This alerts stingrays to your presence, and they’ll swim away rather than being stepped on.
3. Sea Lice (Tiny Terrors)
Sea lice aren’t actually lice. They’re the larvae of certain jellyfish and sea anemones. They’re nearly invisible, but they pack a punch.
Symptoms of sea lice “stings”:
Intense itching and redness
Small, raised welts (often under swimsuit areas – because the larvae get trapped between fabric and skin)Swimwear
Rash appears hours after leaving the water
What to do:
Shower immediately after leaving the water (rinse off larvae before they sting).
Wash swimsuits in hot water and detergent.
Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion for itching.
Take oral antihistamines (Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin) for severe itching.Bottled Water
Prevention: Wear a rash guard or tightly woven swimsuit. Shower as soon as you leave the water. Don’t sit around in a wet swimsuit.
4. Portuguese Man o’ War (Not a Jellyfish, But Just as Painful)
The Portuguese man o’ war is a colonial organism (multiple animals living together). Its long tentacles can deliver an extremely painful sting, even to beached specimens.
Symptoms:
Immediate, severe, burning pain
Red, whip-like welts
Fever, muscle cramps, weakness (severe reactions)
What to do:
Rinse with vinegar (to neutralize unfired stinging cells).
