How do you how to treat an anemone sting? Will it leave a scar?

Question

I applied white vinegar as soon as possible afterwards. It is only a small sting, but it is quite unsightly. Does anyone know a way to treat it and will it leave a scar? (It is just small, didn't pierce the skin)

Answer 1

Here are a few first aid tips if you suffer a jellyfish sting. Handle a sea anemone or coral sting the same way.

Rinse the sting area thoroughly with saltwater. Don't use fresh water! Why? Fresh water will activate any stinging cells that haven't already ruptured, causing more painful stings. Be careful not to rub the area, which can also rupture the nematocysts, causing more stinging.

Next, apply a liberal dose of white vinegar to the sting area as soon after the sting occurs as possible. It probably won't do much for the pain, but it will stop any unfired nematocysts from discharging and stinging you more.

Remove any tentacles that are still attached to the skin. Don't touch the tentacles with your bare hands. Use a clean cloth or towel.

If there's localized swelling, tenderness or itching, an over-the-counter antihistamine like Benadryl will help. Hydrocortisone cream reduces swelling. Take acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen for pain.

Some people are severely allergic to jellyfish venom, just as some people are allergic to bee stings. If the symptoms are more serious than those listed above, get the victim to a hospital emergency room right away. A person who is extremely allergic to these venomous sea creatures may experience swelling all over the body -- not just at the sting site. Other serious symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.

There are a few old wives' tales and folk remedies for jellyfish stings, but they don't help and could even make matters worse.

Some people will tell you to rub wet sand into the sting site. This is not a good idea because sand is abrasive and can cause unruptured nematocysts to fire, causing a fresh round of painful stings.