Comments on: How to Identify and Treat Jellyfish, Anemone and Coral Stings

on 9/17/2006 Hot (not burning) water was found in an Australian study to be more effective at stopping the pain of the sting than ice packs. Remove stingers, immerse body part in 45 C/113 F water for 20 or so minutes (do not scald), and take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. Don't rub the site, and seek medical attention if things get worse.

on 1/26/2006 The reason the meat tenderizer (and make sure it's the unseasoned type) works to neutralize the jellyfish sting (used in conjunction with urine, not just separately) is that together they make an effective alkali treatment to neutralize. The animal-based poison you're dealing with is thus acid/protein-based.

on 11/22/2005 Meat tenderizer works very well for Portuguese Man-O-War jellyfish stings. The papin in the meat tenderizer deactivates the nematacysts from the tendicules. I'm a paramedic on the east coast of Florida and we use it all the time with great results. Mix it in a solution or spinkle it on. Warning--don't leave the tenderizer on for an extended period of time(hours/days)---it is meat tenderizer and you skin is part of your meat.

on 11/22/2005 First of all, urine does not always contain mass amounts of ammonia. Urine's pH varies from 5-8 depending on the human and their metabolic profile that day. Vinegar (acetic acid) has a pH of about 3-4 depending on the dilution (most grocery store shelf versions are pretty diluted so it'll end up with a higher pH). Therefore ammonia (as a base) and vinegar (as an acid) have totally opposite effects.

Secondly, meat tenderizer has no scientific basis. Whether or not it works all the time has not been proved. If you wanna use it, go ahead, but most jellyfish stings go away within a day anyways.

Thirdly, alcohol is not advised on pouring onto stings, in some species, this can actually make it worse.

And lastly - use vinegar. If you have no vinegar, get some. Otherwise try some sort of acidic compound you can get your hands on (dissolved aspirin or lemon juice may work).

on 11/22/2005 Apply meat tenderizer to the affected area and gently rub in. Meat tenderizer contains an enzyme called Papain that greatly reduces the discomfort of the sting. The front desk of a resort hotel we recently stayed at keeps meat tenderizer on hand for just this purpose.

on 11/22/2005 Plantain grows in your yard, is safe to use, is very easy to identify and is a remedy for stings and insect bites. You can use either the broad or the thin leaf variety. Take fresh plantain and chop it up, make a poultice and apply it to the wound and wrap in bandage, changing as needed. We mixed it with Vaseline. My son had bad stings covering both hands and with this remedy he felt immediate relief, which he did not get with the urine or the vinegar. By the next morning, his hands were normal size and color with no evidence of a sting whatsoever.

on 11/22/2005 A quick fix to an attack by a jelly fish, Portugese man-o-war, anemone, or coral is to apply urine directly on the wound. The ammonia from the urine will cause the pain to subside immediately. Then, follow through with the treatment as you would if you were using vinegar. This also works well with bee stings and will prevent swelling (if you are not allergic).

John B (A lifeguard from Guam)

on 11/22/2005 Sprinkle the affected area with a liberal amount of meat tenderizer then rub it in. Yes, meat tenderizer! Buy it in the spice department of your grocery store. I have no idea why it works but have used it for years and it's magic - it works right away!

on 11/22/2005 My daughter and sister were recently stung by jellyfish. Alcohol was poured over the sting area. Then a paste of baking soda and water was applied and allowed to remain for one hour. It was then wetted and gently scraped with a spoon or similar item.