{"id":36753,"title":"Will peeing on a Jellyfish Sting Help?","description":"Does urinating on a jellyfish sting actually help like they say it does on television? The short answer is no, and in fact, the urine may cause the sting to become more harmful too.  This blog will cover everything you need to know about jellyfish stings, from explaining why you shouldn\u2019t use urine as a treatment, how to effectively treat a jellyfish sting and all the things to avoid doing.  As this is medical advice and we are not medical experts, for all factual content and advice we are siting it from medical sources (links to which can be found at the bottom of the blog)","content":"<p>Does urinating on a jellyfish sting actually help like they say it does on television? The short answer is no, and in fact, the urine may cause the sting to become more harmful too. This blog will cover everything you need to know about jellyfish stings, from explaining why you shouldn\u2019t use urine as a treatment, how to effectively treat a jellyfish sting and all the things to avoid doing. As this is medical advice and we are not medical experts, for all factual content and advice we are siting it from medical sources (links to which can be found at the bottom of the blog).<\/p><p>If reading isn\u2019t for you, check out the video version here:<\/p><div data-youtube-video=\"\"><iframe class=\"youtube\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" allowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_KfNbDsaKoQ\"><\/iframe><\/div><h3>The scientific reason why urine should not be used to treat a jellyfish sting<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/usiiqxdgbduccurxuuqqf8wmgkpmlsgnazmaowappjx5zuh1.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"usiiqxdgbduccurxuuqqf8wmgkpmlsgnazmaowappjx5zuh1.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>Now, don\u2019t get worried about the word \u2018scientific\u2019 here. We\u2019ll break it down in layman\u2019s terms. So, urine contains something called urea. This when rinsed over a jellyfish sting, in theory, has the potential to rinse away the nematocysts (the part of the stinger that releases the venom) without stimulating them so it will help relieve the pain. Unfortunately, the urine of most people who are sufficiently hydrated is too dilute to be effective. Meaning there is not enough urea present to be used as an effective treatment. instead, the urine acts similarly to fresh water and thus causes the nematocysts to release more venom, causing more pain to the stung person.<\/p><h2>What\u2019s the best way to treat a jellyfish sting?<\/h2><p>Here\u2019s the best way to treat a jellyfish sting following the advice from NHS UK (National Health Service):<\/p><h3>1. Use tweezers to remove any tentacles still attached<\/h3><p>Tweezers are the best option to remove any tentacles due to their precision. Don\u2019t be tempted to use your hand as this most likely causes your hand to get stung as well. Some people will also suggest using a credit card to scrape the tentacle off, however, you need to be very careful if you choose to do this. Apply pressure to the stung area can cause more venom to be released causing more pain.<\/p><h3>2. Rinse the sting with seawater<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/4wvjysugonyvsqyf1otacoy3hwfbv3orkpjzlttellbudogy.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"4wvjysugonyvsqyf1otacoy3hwfbv3orkpjzlttellbudogy.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>Seawater causes nematocysts (stinging cells) to deactivate to help relieve the pain. This is fortunate as you\u2019ll most likely be in the ocean if stung by a jellyfish or at a beach so it\u2019s easily available to you<\/p><h3>3. Apply heat<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/4exu7tu2qrghti4nxiovwpddmpvfu5amlho1aqwjhsik5knc.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"4exu7tu2qrghti4nxiovwpddmpvfu5amlho1aqwjhsik5knc.png.png?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>The best option is to soak the stung area in hot water (45<span style=\"font-family:'Open Sans', sans-serif;\">\u00b0C \/ 113\u00b0F to be precise), however, if you don\u2019t have a precise way of measuring the water\u2019s temperature, as hot a you can tolerate is a good guideline.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family:'Open Sans', sans-serif;\">Other alternatives can be having a hot shower or using a hot towel or flannel if soaking the stung area is difficult.<\/span><\/p><h3>4. Take Painkillers<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/0zozwkuglc1qiszegwzm3cp3vbyn2xxgmmtup8ic30bagqar.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"0zozwkuglc1qiszegwzm3cp3vbyn2xxgmmtup8ic30bagqar.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/>If available, using painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help relieve the pain. These can be purchased from pharmacies or supermarkets. Make sure to read the packaging and follow the correct dosages.<\/p><h2>What not to do when stung by a jellyfish<\/h2><h3>1. Don\u2019t rinse the sting with fresh water<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/8probzzbbg159oj6mblun9uqwfuxfb0y1tmowljoblhypjjy.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"8probzzbbg159oj6mblun9uqwfuxfb0y1tmowljoblhypjjy.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/>As already mentioned, freshwater will cause more pain<\/p><h3>2. Don\u2019t pee on the jellyfish sting<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/sbdqhcxxvdtvonwblel6ffzkd3q1vsbt6lvbf2odthlxlceo.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"sbdqhcxxvdtvonwblel6ffzkd3q1vsbt6lvbf2odthlxlceo.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>Urine is typically very dilute so will have the same effect as freshwater - causing more pain.<\/p><h3>3. Don\u2019t touch the tentacle with barehand<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/6lagil8zyq5aobokpasf8jqzfifpdqvndd2dgmlflwy9ljxf.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"6lagil8zyq5aobokpasf8jqzfifpdqvndd2dgmlflwy9ljxf.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>If a tentacle is still attached, the best option is to remove it with tweezers<\/p><h3>4. Don\u2019t use vinegar on the jellyfish sting<\/h3><p>Vinegar does not work for all stings. Sometimes, it can help just like sea water but sometimes it will cause more harm. Unless you know exactly which type of jellyfish stung you then you can can identify if vinegar will be effective or not. Because of this, it\u2019s safer just to stick with seawater for rinsing the sting<\/p><h3>5. Do not apply Ice or a Cold Pack to the jellyfish sting<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/skzoypdjuvxt0cbymlshnuid7z2hmsy2cxxpyerqufwcoby2.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"skzoypdjuvxt0cbymlshnuid7z2hmsy2cxxpyerqufwcoby2.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>At first, it may feel effective by numbing the pain for a short period, but what happens is it preserves the venom that has been injected. Ultimately, causing more harm in the long run.<\/p><h3>6. Don\u2019t cover or close the wound<\/h3><p>Doing so can accidentally apply pressure causing the stinging cells to fire up and potentially spread the cells too causing the pain to spread beyond just the stung area.<\/p><h2>How to Avoid being stung by Jellyfish<\/h2><p>Though jellyfish stings can be treated it\u2019s best to avoid them when possible. So here are our best tips to avoid getting stung:<\/p><h3>1. Look out for Beach Warning Signs<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/kmjorb7zf5nwqglz1qowfofmo7eovmnkv1bgspvpikxjdrou.jpeg.jpeg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"kmjorb7zf5nwqglz1qowfofmo7eovmnkv1bgspvpikxjdrou.jpeg.jpeg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>Beaches often have signs allowing the public to be aware of potential hazards present there. Amongst these there are specific ones for jellyfish. This sign may also be labelled more broadly as \u2018dangerous marine life\u2019 or with a purple flag (which means <span style=\"font-family:'Google Sans', arial, sans-serif;\">that there is dangerous marine life out on the water or beach)<\/span> and this sign does include jellyfish.<\/p><h3>2. Wear a wetsuit or rash guard<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/odmj9iqwxdiagdelfybbq86bldwtybyfqqvefgbzfcp7f56b.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"odmj9iqwxdiagdelfybbq86bldwtybyfqqvefgbzfcp7f56b.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/>Covering your skin decreases the chance of your skin making contact with a jellyfish tentacle. This is not perfect as parts like: hands, feet, neck &amp; head can still be stung but most of the body will be protected.<\/p><h3>3. Wear waterproof shoes &amp; sandals when walking in shallow water or rocky areas<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/og7ygv6s3epoe28i9edm6lvc1y0j7kp7g316bfsutausaev2.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"og7ygv6s3epoe28i9edm6lvc1y0j7kp7g316bfsutausaev2.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>This will help protect you from accidentally stepping on a jellyfish and getting your foot stung. Many jellyfish wash up along the shoreline, so just because you\u2019re not in the water that doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t come into contact with them.<\/p><h3>4. Stamp your feet when in shallow water<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/i61rvbt8flvrc6qqfophq6it0dprnqqcuvl1hxihqcyyvyxs.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"i61rvbt8flvrc6qqfophq6it0dprnqqcuvl1hxihqcyyvyxs.jpg.jpg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/>Making noise as you walk through shallow water can make creatures aware of your presence and make them move away. This advice is more for creatures that can sting like stingrays but is still good safety advice.<\/p><h2>Closing thoughts<\/h2><p>Hopefully, this advice will help protect you from jellyfish stings in the future and treat them correctly if you\u2019re unfortunate enough to be stung by one.<\/p><p>If you enjoyed this blog feel free to check out our other ocean blogs. We also sell scuba and ocean-inspired clothing too - all 100% plastic-free so you know that what you\u2019re wearing isn\u2019t harming the ocean. Amongst these we have jellyfish merch:<\/p><p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/product\/jellyfish-peace-white-design-men-s-hoodie\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/vkycavgiw3xdnpzjpehqcvb07whqghzpva1xzexzk9eunl2w.jpeg.jpeg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" alt=\"vkycavgiw3xdnpzjpehqcvb07whqghzpva1xzexzk9eunl2w.jpeg.jpeg?w=1140&amp;v=2\" \/><\/u><\/a><\/p><h3>References:<\/h3><p><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">Montgomery L, Seys J, Mees J. To Pee, or Not to Pee: A Review on Envenomation and Treatment in European Jellyfish Species <\/span><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">(<\/span><\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27399728\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27399728\/<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">)<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">. <\/span><em>Mar Drugs<\/em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">. 2016 Jul; 14(7):127. Published 2016 Jul 8<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">National Health Service. Jellyfish and other sea creature stings<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">(<\/span><\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/jellyfish-and-other-sea-creature-stings\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/jellyfish-and-other-sea-creature-stings\/<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">)<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">MedlinePlus. Jellyfish stings <\/span><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">(<\/span><\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/002845.htm\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/002845.htm<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">)<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">Lakkis NA, Maalouf GJ, Mahmassani DM. Jellyfish Stings: A Practical Approach<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">(<\/span><\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25935311\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25935311\/<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">)<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">. <\/span><em>Wilderness Environ Med<\/em><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">. 2015;26(3):422-429.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">Smithsonian, Ocean: Find Your Blue (<\/span><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ocean.si.edu\/ocean-life\/invertebrates\/how-do-jellyfish-sting\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">https:\/\/ocean.si.edu\/ocean-life\/invertebrates\/how-do-jellyfish-sting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-family:'__Roboto_ba6641', '__Roboto_Fallback_ba6641', sans-serif;\">).<\/span><\/p>","urlTitle":"will-peeing-on-a-jellyfish-sting-help","url":"\/blog\/will-peeing-on-a-jellyfish-sting-help\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/will-peeing-on-a-jellyfish-sting-help\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/narkedshark.co.uk\/blog\/will-peeing-on-a-jellyfish-sting-help\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1708351284,"updatedAt":1708365520,"publishedAt":1708365520,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":114661,"name":"Narked Shark_2"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ddrtjymtlq9ganupmu3qhcfecjvwnqurbhjmy86l209wxbvg.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ddrtjymtlq9ganupmu3qhcfecjvwnqurbhjmy86l209wxbvg.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ddrtjymtlq9ganupmu3qhcfecjvwnqurbhjmy86l209wxbvg.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Will peeing on a Jellyfish Sting Help?","metaDescription":"Peeing (urinating) on a jellyfish sting does not help alleviate pain. 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