What to do if you accidentally come into contact with a jellyfish ? The debate on the best remedies to use in case of jellyfish stings is open, but it is a shared recommendation to rinse the affected part with sea water.
It is also good to inquire about the sea in which you are. Mediterranean jellyfish would be less dangerous than tropical jellyfish. Here are some useful tips in case of jellyfish stings.
Index
- Natural remedy tested
- Sea water
- Water and bicarbonate
- Remove the tentacles
- No cortisone creams
- Beware of ammonia and urine
- Ledum palustre
- Urtica urens
- Aloe vera and calendula
- Emergency room
Natural remedy tested
From the blog Clorofilla here is a tested natural remedy to apply on the skin when you are “touched” by a jellyfish. It involves combining tea tree essential oil and lavender essential oil in a bottle that you can take with you to use when needed. A small space in the sea bag is enough to store this remedy. Here all the instructions.
Sea water
If a jellyfish suddenly stings you, get out of the water immediately and wet the affected area with seawater. If you do not have other remedies available, you can go to the pharmacy to request a special ointment based on aluminum chloride. Better to eat fresh water , which would favor the circulation of toxins from the jellyfish. Here more information about it.
Water and bicarbonate
As a natural remedy for jellyfish stings, baking soda comes in handy. Prepare a creamy mixture by mixing the baking soda with a little water. Spread it on the wound and let it sit for at least 30 seconds. The bicarbonate helps to relieve the itching sensation. Here more info.
Remove the tentacles
Get out of the water without panic and if necessary ask clearly for help. Salt water helps in the removal of the jellyfish’s tentacles. But if that’s not enough, never use sharp objects such as knife blades or scissors. The advice in this case is to use a rigid but not sharp object such as a credit card, or in any case a plastic card. You can also use your fingers, but rinse them off right away.
No cortisone creams
Cortisone creams and antihistamine creams have no effect on jellyfish stings because they only come into action after 30 minutes, i.e. when the reaction has already reached its maximum. If you decide to apply a remedy purchased at the pharmacy, it may be useful to apply medical gauze on the area to be treated. Here more info.
Beware of ammonia and urine
Among the folk remedies for the treatment of jellyfish stings we find the application of ammonia , alcohol, vinegar or urine . These are remedies that do not find the agreement of the scientific community. If you have nothing else available, it is much better to rely on simple sea water. In particular, the vinegar remedy would be effective only for tropical jellyfish while for the Mediterranean ones it would prove to be a contraindicated device, able even to exacerbate the burning.
Ledum palustre
The marsh Ledum is the homeopathic remedy recommended if you come into contact with a jellyfish. This is the same product that is believed to be effective in preventing mosquito bites. The ledum palustre can also be used dissolved in water to create a solution to be used as compresses. Here more information. Contact your homeopath to know the exact doses and precautions for use.
Urtica urens
A further homeopathic remedy suggested in case of jellyfish stings is the Urtica urens . This homeopathic remedy based on nettle is used in appropriate dilutions for the treatment of reactions caused by contact with the jellyfish and follows the principle of similarity typical of homeopathy, which also suggests first resorting to herbal remedies before moving on to others of origin animal. Here more info.
Aloe vera and calendula
If you want to apply a natural product on the part pointed by the jellyfish, you can turn to aloe vera and calendula . Always rinse the area with sea water. Do not rub and when the skin has dried apply aloe vera gel or calendula ointment. Ask your herbalist for more information, especially in order to choose the best products to take with you to the beach.
Emergency room
Jellyfish stings are annoying but not fatal. In some cases, however, they can lead to complications despite prompt treatments. For example, breathing difficulties may appear. Allergic people may be at risk of anaphylactic shock. If unexpected symptoms appear and the problem does not go away in a short time, go to the emergency room immediately.
