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There’s no P in Jellyfish
BY KAREN CLAPP

Remember that episode of Friends, where Joey gets stung by a jellyfish and he and Rachael pee on it to make the sting go away? Well, I do, and the first time I was stung, I have to embarrassedly admit, that I tried this. It worked. Kind of. Well, not very much, but being as I had just succeeded in the greatest yoga moves in my life to reach the sting on my upper arm, I thought it worked. But, what do the experts say? What is the best way to relieve the burn from a jellyfish sting?

ABC news, emedicine from WebMD.com and mothernature.com all agree: vinegar is the answer. However, this isn’t Australia with vinegar stands on the beach, so what can we do to reduce the effects before we return to town?

First, you need to get away from the jellyfish to prevent further stings. This is obvious, so catch that next wave in and go to shore. Next, though, they say to rinse yourself off with salt water (fresh water increases the pain). To do this you have to go back to where the jellyfish are, and the last time I did this I got stung again! Remember, jellyfish can only swim up and down, their other motions are dependent on the tides and currents, so go up current.

The tentacles of jellyfish, which are now painfully embedded into unspeakable parts, now need to be removed. A razor, credit card, or more likely, sand and the edge of a shell, will work to scrape them out. Then, if you can , wipe it down with vinegar.

Whatever you do, don’t rub or scratch! We know you want to, but this only causes more venom to be released, increasing pain and the duration your sting will last.

If you are unfortunate enough to be stung in your eye (OUCH!) rinse it out with at least a gallon of fresh water. In the mouth, (Yummy!), use ¼ strength vinegar.

Other options mentioned: baking soda and water, rubbing alcohol or meat tenderizer. However, vinegar is best so consider bringing some with you if you are chronically addicted to the jelly’s sting. As for the pee? Well, it’s not scientifically proven, but that is not to say that mind over matter doesn’t work

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