Overview
Jellyfish stings are fairly common problems for people swimming, wading or diving in oceans. The long tentacles trailing from the jellyfish can inject venom from thousands of microscopic barbed stingers.
Most often jellyfish stings cause instant pain and inflamed marks on the skin. Some stings may cause more whole-body (systemic) illness. And in rare cases they’re life-threatening.
Most jellyfish stings get better over a few days or weeks with home treatment. Severe reactions likely need emergency medical care.
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Symptoms
Symptoms of jellyfish stings include:
- Burning, prickling, stinging pain
- Welts or tracks on the skin — a “print” of the tentacles’ contact with the skin
- Itchiness (pruritus)
- Swelling
- Throbbing pain that radiates up a leg or an arm
Severe jellyfish stings can affect multiple body systems. These reactions may appear rapidly or several hours after the stings. Symptoms of severe jellyfish stings include:
- Stomach pain, nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Muscle pain or spasms
- Faintness, dizziness or confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Heart problems
The severity of a reaction depends on:
- The type and size of the jellyfish
- The age, size and health of the person affected, with severe reactions more likely in children
- How long the person was exposed to the stingers
- How much of the skin is affected
When to see a doctor
Seek emergency treatment if you have severe symptoms.
See your health care provider if your symptoms worsen or the wound shows symptoms of infection.
