TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. () — As the summer season draws visitors to Tybee Island and nearby beaches, lifeguards are offering crucial advice on how to handle jellyfish stings.
Recently, Tybee Island Ocean Rescue (TIOR) took to Facebook to dispense some tips regarding jellyfish sting treatment. The post emphasized that, while jellyfish stings can cause discomfort, they are infrequently dangerous and typically manageable with simple first aid techniques.
“If you get stung, remain calm,” the post reads. “Most stings are not a medical emergency and can be treated right on the beach.”
Typical symptoms include pain, redness, itching, a stinging feeling, and a burning sensation. Lifeguards advise using vinegar to rinse the sting as this can help neutralize it. In the absence of vinegar, rinsing with warm sea water is recommended as the next best alternative. To remove jellyfish tentacles, use wet sand, a card, or a gloved hand.
TIOR also recommends not using ice as it could worsen the pain.
If you experience severe or life-threatening symptoms such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, you should contact 911.
