Jellyfish and other sea creature stings

Jellyfish and other sea creature stings

Most stings from sea creatures in the UK are not serious and can be treated with first aid. Sometimes you may need to go to hospital.

What to do if you have been stung

Get help if possible

Ask a lifeguard or someone with first aid training for help.

If help is not available:

Do

rinse the affected area with seawater (not fresh water)
remove any spines from the skin using tweezers or the edge of a bank card
soak the area in very warm water (as hot as can be tolerated) for at least 30 minutes – use hot flannels or towels if you cannot soak it
take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen

Don't

do not use vinegar
do not pee on the sting
do not apply ice or a cold pack
do not touch any spines with your bare hands
do not cover or close the wound

Non-urgent advice: Go to a minor injuries unit if you have:

severe pain that is not going away
been stung on your face or genitals
been stung by a stingray

Find your nearest minor injuries unit

Immediate action required: Go to A&E or call 999 if you have been stung and have:

difficulty breathing
chest pain
fits or seizures
severe swelling around the affected area
severe bleeding
vomiting
lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

Find your nearest A&E department

Symptoms of sea creature stings

The main symptoms of sea creature stings are intense pain where you're stung and an itchy rash.

Jellyfish and Portuguese man-of-war stings can also cause raised circular areas on the skin (welts).

How to avoid being stung

Do

look out for beach warning signs
consider wearing a wetsuit when swimming in the sea, particularly during the spring and summer
wear waterproof shoes or sandals when walking in shallow water or rocky areas
scuff or stamp your feet when walking in shallow water to make sea creatures aware you're approaching

Don't

do not touch or handle sea creatures that sting

UK sea creatures that sting

A jellyfish swimming in the sea — Jellyfish

A jellyfish washed up on the beach — Watch out for jellyfish on the beach

A Portuguese man-of-war floating on the water — Portuguese man-of-war

A weever fish on the sandy seabed — Weever fish

Six red sea urchins on rocks on the seabed — Sea urchins

Five stingrays swimming in the sea — Stingrays

Page last reviewed: 1 May 2018
Next review due: 1 May 2021