Jellyfish and other sea creature stings

What to do if you've been stung

If you have been stung, you should get help if possible.

You should ask a lifeguard or someone with first aid training for help.

If help is not available, see below for things you should do and things you should not do. These include:

Do

• rinse the affected area with seawater (not fresh water)
• remove any spines from the skin using tweezers or the edge of a bank card
• soak the area in very warm water (as hot as can be tolerated) for at least 30 minutes – use hot flannels or towels if you can't soak it
• take painkillers like paracetamol(external link opens in a new window / tab) or ibuprofen(external link opens in a new window / tab)

Don't

• use vinegar
• pee on the sting
• apply ice or a cold pack
• touch any spines with your bare hands
• cover or close the wound

Go to a minor injuries unit if you have:

• severe pain that isn't going away
• been stung on your face or genitals
• been stung by a stingray

When to get immediate medical help

Go to your nearest emergency department or call 999 if you've been stung and have:

• difficulty breathing
• chest pain
• fits or seizures
• severe swelling around the affected area
• severe bleeding
• vomiting
• lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

Symptoms of sea creature stings

The main symptoms of sea creature stings are intense pain where you're stung and an itchy rash.

Jellyfish and Portuguese man-of-war stings can also cause raised circular areas on the skin (welts).

How to avoid being stung

There are things you can do to avoid being stung. These include:

• looking out for beach warning signs
• considering wearing a wetsuit when swimming in the sea, particularly during the spring and summer
• wearing waterproof shoes or sandals when walking in shallow water or rocky areas
• scuffing or stamping your feet when walking in shallow water to make sea creatures aware you're approaching
• don’t touch or handle sea creatures that sting

• Jellyfish and other sea creature stings(external link opens in a new window / tab)

More useful links

• How to use your health services