Few travel myths are as persistent as the idea that peeing on a jellyfish sting will relieve pain. Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.
In fact, urine has no effect on the venom because it dilutes and spreads the stinging cells still on your skin, said Philip Swart, the medical director at Altezza Travel, a tour operator in Tanzania. Instead, there are safer, science-backed treatments available.
“The right step is vinegar,” Swart said. “It neutralizes the nematocysts, the microscopic stinging capsules, and stops more venom from firing.”
Swart, who has spent 18 years working in emergency medicine, said travelers should rinse with seawater instead of freshwater if vinegar isn’t available. That’s because freshwater can cause the stinging cells to discharge even more. Seawater keeps the jellyfish’s stinging capsules inert.
“Those little stinging capsules act like tiny syringes, and many don’t fire right away, but they can if triggered,” he said. “Freshwater causes a change in pressure and makes them discharge upon contact, so people can end up with a second dose of venom even after leaving the ocean.”
Another important step is removing the tentacles with tweezers or the edge of a card, Swart said. People should not touch them with bare fingers because the capsules can still fire upon contact and you don’t want the venom to transfer onto your hands.
In general, acting quickly is key since the pain can be sharp and overwhelming within the first few seconds.
“Always monitor how your body reacts, and be sure to watch for spreading swelling, breathing issues, or sudden dizziness, as these are red flags that require immediate medical attention,” Swart said.
Jellyfish exist in water all over the globe and some are more dangerous than others. The Australian box jellyfish is considered the most venous marine animal in the world, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They are typically found in warm coastal waters with the most lethal varieties primarily present in the Indo-Pacific region and northern Australia.
Swimmers who are stung by the lethal species of these creatures “may experience paralysis, cardiac arrest, and even death, all within a few minutes of being stung,” NOAA noted.
However, not all jellyfish are as scary. There are hundreds of documented species of jellyfish and they don’t hunt humans. “Any contact with jellyfish is incidental,” according to NOAA. “Humans are not on their menu, but when we are in their environment we can get in the way of their tentacles.”
