Outer Banks Tips: How to Treat A Jellyfish Sting

We’ve had a pretty sweet summer here on the OBX. Great weather, warm water, and few jellyfish. The perfect summer mix at the beach.

I don’t want to jinx us with this post, but every year is unique; we never know what to expect or when things will change – Mother Nature is fickle like that. So I thought this quick list of tips to treat an OBX jellyfish sting could come in handy at some point…hopefully not.

I came across these helpful tips on TheInertia.com, and now I’ll share the love and pass some highlights on to you…

How to Treat a Jellyfish Sting

• Remove gently what’s left of the tentacles off the skin with a pair of tweezers or with two pairs of gloves.
• To get rid of the invisible fragments, apply some wet sand or shaving cream to the affected area and shave it off with the help of a wax comb or a credit card.
• Flood the area with sea water or saline solution. Vinegar can be used for some species.
• After removal, disinfect the area with sterile gauze soaked in an antiseptic solution.
• Ice or cold packs are effective to help dull any pain.
• Keep an eye on the wound and see a doctor if it looks infected or inflammatory.
• While you’re at it, a tetanus shot could be a good idea.

Things to avoid:

• Do not rub the injuries because you will release the venom from the stinging cells into the skin.
• Do not rinse the wound with fresh water that would burst the remaining cells and release the poison.
• Do not suck out the venom. (Would you do that?! )
• Do not touch a jellyfish stranded on the sand; a dead jellyfish still stings.