Exclamation PointPlease call 911 immediately if you are having chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or numbness, or if you think you have a medical emergency.

Jellyfish Sting Treatment

Call 911 if:

For more information about severe allergic reaction, see Anaphylaxis .

1. Get the Person Out of the Water

2. Stop Stinging

For a jellyfish sting in non-tropical waters:

For a sting in tropical waters -- especially from box jellyfish:

 

3. Decontaminate and Remove Tentacles

For stings not from a box jellyfish:

 

4. Treat Discomfort

 

5. Follow Up

For less severe sting:

For a severe reaction:

 

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed by Andrew Seibert, MD on October 14, 2011