What does a jellyfish sting feel like?

Question

I have a HUGE fear of jellyfish. Not just stings but how they look. I was wondering what it feels like if you get stung by one. If you do get stung by one,what should you do to stop the pain? Lastly, Is it really bad pain? or is it bareable?

Answer 1

it depends on what part of the jelly you touch. if you touch the stinger.. its probably gonna hurt! if you touch the top of the jelly... it is kinda like slimy feeling and they feel really cool. depending on were you live.. you could go to like the adventure aquarium on the camden waterfront. they have a few touch zones... you can touch baby sharks, moon jellys, and stingrays.

hope you can get over your fear of jellys!!  

Answer 2

Like the others say, there are many species, from harmless to deadly, so the stings vary.

From experience with the local ones, they sting like a burn, worse than a bee sting. But these ones are almost too small to see, but you know when you touch one.

Best plan.. go surfing in the winter, it's too cold for Jellyfish and Great Whites, all you need to worry about is hypothermia then :-)

Ian

Answer 3

Depends on the species. If they are man-o-wars, they can be up to deadly (these are the really big ones with long tentacles). But most gulf or close to shore species are smaller and they feel like a burn, and you're skin will get red in the sting spot and itchy and have a burning sensation. It IS bearable though. Get out of the water, rinse off w/clear water, and apply some kind of product with lidocane (like a clear aloe vera gel w/lidocane like for sunburns) to take away the burn. Anything with a cooling gel will work. If you are on a beach with lifeguards, they will typically have something like meat tenderizer that will absorb the poison from the tentacles and take away the sting.

Unfortunately up here in the gulf the jellies have been BAD this year and my kids seem to attract them when we are at the beach. The ones we have here are the little ones. They have both gotten stung a few times, but they get out, we rinse off the sting, I put this sunscreen with jelly fish repellent (we bought it at Islander's Surf and Sport) on it, and 5 minutes later they are ready to get back in the water.

Look online to see if you can find a location near you that might sell the jelly fish sting repellant sunscreen.  

Answer 4

its a burning pain, it is bearable though. and pouring vinegar over the sting stops the pain.

Answer 5

Burning like a bee sting except minus the bump.

I got stung by the white ones which aren't so bad but also dark red ones which lasted for a couple hours. Yes it is bearable just annoying and stingy feeling.

you gotta pee on it really. or i think vinigar too?

Answer 6

well it feels like a burn....

& NEVER grab one.. (:

well one time me & my boy friend where at the beach & he got  one wrapped around his ankle  & it was stinging him so he grabbed it to pull it off...SO GUESS WHAT? it stung his hand too.

& i got stung before too.

& 2 stop the pain- cold water & a wet paper towel over -pull the wet   paper towel tite around the sting/burn that will relieve some pain.

well the pain level depends- the bigger  & the titer the jelly fish is holding on the worst pain. "/

so yea it is bearable but it hurts..but dont be scared 2 go have a good time in the ocean b/c of this. (:

Answer 7

It depends on the specific jellyfish. I've usually heard them described as burning pain, but it varies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jellyfish#T... describes first aid for stings by various types of jellyfish.

Answer 8

It feels like a flower gently brushing against your face.

Answer 9

It is painful o.O But some people say I don't have a very high pain threshold, so for most I would say bearable. Gently bathe the stung area in vinegar and call and ambulance to give you proper first aid. Some jellyfish are poisonous, and even deadly.

But like the others said, don't let this stop you enjoying the ocean. It is a lovely place!