During summer, calls to the National Poisons Centre involving jellyfish increase, from people standing on them or swimming through them.
Blue bottles are the most reported jellyfish causing stings on beaches all over the country.
Recommended first aid following a jellyfish sting in New Zealand
- If any signs of an anaphylactic allergic reaction call 111 immediately this includes any swelling around the face, neck, or difficulty breathing
- Call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766 if you are needing further advice
- Gently remove any remaining tentacles, this can be done by peeling them off by hand preferably wearing gloves, with tweezers, or splashing with seawater
- Flush the area with seawater or any available water to remove any other contaminants
- If the sting has affected the neck, eyes, mouth, or genitals seek medical attention at an urgent care or hospital
- For other areas of the body use hot water immersion; place the affected limb in a tub, bucket, or stream of hot water. The water should be uncomfortably hot but not hot enough to cause burns. When treating young children take extra caution and opt for a slightly gentler approach using lower temperatures if the child is uncomfortable. Hot water immersion should only be attempted for 15 to 20 minutes; if no improvement occurs in this time, then abandon further attempts. If it has helped reduce the stinging treatment immersion can be repeated
- After initial first aid, paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken for pain, and an antihistamine can be taken to help reduce itching
- Pharmacies may stock topical products that can also help reduce stinging
- Keep the area clean over the next few days; some blue bottle stings may flare up again after some delay
What not to do for New Zealand jellyfish stings
There are many myths surrounding the best first aid following a jellyfish sting. Some of these myths are false, potentially harmful (they may worsen the pain), or in some cases are only effective following stings from specific species not found in New Zealand waters.
Urine:
The advice of peeing on a fresh jellyfish sting to alleviate symptoms or neutralize venom is baseless and not very hygienic. Urine may actually cause more venom to be released. The origins of this myth are unclear but either way the National Poison Centre recommends opting for using seawater to flush the area and help remove any remaining tentacles.
Vinegar:
Vinegar has some benefit in select cases of specific jellyfish not found in New Zealand. Stings from the potentially deadly box jellyfish (found in the tropical waters of northern Australia and Indonesia) respond well to flushing with vinegar. It is thought the vinegar helps to disable some of the tiny stinging cells of the box jellyfish tentacles and prevent further envenomation. Luckily, the box jellyfish is not found New Zealand waters.
There is no proven benefit to using vinegar on blue bottle or other common jellyfish stings in New Zealand, and using vinegar may increase the pain.
Methylated spirits, ammonia, meat tenderizers:
Flushing a jellyfish sting with any of these substances is more likely to increase irritation than to lessen it. It is best to stick to seawater or fresh water for all flushing.
Pressure bandages:
Pressure bandages are commonly applied to snake bites to help prevent the spread of venom. Applying any tight bandaging to jellyfish stings is not beneficial and may impede circulation. In most cases there is no need to bandage a jellyfish sting at all unless the skin has broken or forming blisters.