Nurse Esther Gómez is urging beachgoers to avoid common myths when treating jellyfish stings, recommending seawater and cold compresses instead [1].
Correct first aid is critical because improper treatments can worsen the reaction or fail to stop the release of toxins into the skin.
Appearing on the program Zapeando on La Sexta, Gómez detailed the step-by-step process for managing a sting. She said that for a Portuguese man-of-war sting, the affected area must be washed with seawater, tentacles removed using tweezers, and cold applied to the site [2].
Gómez specifically targeted popular but ineffective folk remedies. She said that neither urine nor ammonia has demonstrated scientific evidence to alleviate a jellyfish sting [1].
Using fresh water is also discouraged. According to the report, fresh water can trigger the release of more venom from the stinging cells [1]. This advice aligns with other experts, such as Jorge Ángel, who said the area should be washed well with salt water [3].
The urgency of proper care is underscored by the speed of the reaction. A single second of contact with a jellyfish can produce a burning sensation that lasts for several hours [4].
While most stings can be managed with these steps, Gómez emphasized the importance of removing tentacles carefully to avoid further irritation. The combination of salt water and cold helps stabilize the area, and reduce the inflammatory response.
“"Ni el pis ni el amoniaco han demostrado tener evidencia científica para aliviar una picadura de medusa."”
The persistence of folk remedies like urine for jellyfish stings highlights a gap between public belief and medical science. By emphasizing the use of seawater over fresh water, health professionals aim to prevent the accidental activation of nematocysts, which can increase the amount of venom injected into the victim.
