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How To Treat a Jellyfish Sting

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Uploaded by on Aug 13, 2008

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Usually, jellyfish are fairly harmless. But sometimes, a day at the beach can lead to a stingy situation.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Seawater
Vinegar
Gloves or tweezers
Shaving cream and a flat edge
An over-the-counter pain reliever
A doctor
Rubbing alcohol
Baking Soda

Warning: Jellyfish stings can cause severe allergic reactions and death. If the victim shows signs of progressive symptoms including nausea, difficulty breathing, and chest pain, seek medical attention immediately.

Step 1: Leave the sting alone

Your first instinct may be to scratch the sting site, but try to leave it alone. Rubbing or patting the affected area may release more venom and spread the sting.

Step 2: Consult the lifeguard

Lifeguards will generally have a sting treatment kit available. Contact them immediately and alert them to your situation.

Step 3: Wash the area

Pour seawater over the affected area. Don't use fresh or bottled water — this can activate the toxins and intensify the sting.

Step 4: Remove remnants

With gloved hands or tweezers, remove any tentacles you can see still clinging to the sting site.

Tip: Do not remove tentacles with bare hands. The jellyfish venom may still be active.

Step 5: Take a vinegar bath

Wash the sting site with vinegar, which helps to neutralize the jellyfish poison. In a pinch, rubbing alcohol or baking soda will also work.

Tip: Although peeing on a jellyfish sting is a common folk remedy, it only works if the urine is acidic — like if you've been taking vitamin C tablets, for example.

Step 6: Have a fake shave

Cover the sting site with shaving cream, and scrape it off with a dull, flat edge. This will remove any remaining tentacles.

Step 7: Rinse again

Again, use seawater to rinse off the area.

Step 8: Take a pain reliever

Take the recommended dose of an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Step 9: Visit the doctor

Check in with your physician — they may prescribe additional treatments to alleviate pain. Also, if it's been more than ten years since your last tetanus shot, you may need an injection.

Thanks for watching How To Treat a Jellyfish Sting! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

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  • ammonia, urine, and alcohol make the sting worse. I'm sure if you look, you could find some medical journals and studies about it.

  • @MiamisDog Your such a wussy

  • yes right peeing it makes more itchy

  • No, really. The ammonia in pee can be used to treat jellyfish stings.

    First, pour pee on the wound.

    Second, put the site of the wound in some sand.

    Then, go to hospital.

    You're saved. Most probably. Unless you're allergic, this technique is generally useful.

  • @MiamisDog

    everytime you pee it splashes up and gets on your legs/pants.

    you then touch those pants all day long...

    you really need to grow up. there are far worse things than getting pee on you.

  • If I got a jellyfish sting, I'd rather die than getting piss on my body!!!!!!!!!!

  • In norway we pee on the place the jellyfish stinged.

  • @littleperrie1234 ADBLOCK PRO

  • @ilovesims24ever11 IT WAS A JOKE!

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