Treatment for bluebottle jellyfish stings

First aid recommendations for bluebottle jellyfish stings are:

• wash the sting site with sea water (not fresh water)
• remove any tentacles by hand or wash them off with sea water
• immerse the affected limb in hot water (45ºC) for 20 minutes; check the patient can tolerate the temperature on an unaffected limb beforehand.

Hot water immersion is significantly more effective in reducing the pain of bluebottle jellyfish stings than the application of ice packs. If hot water immersion is not possible, alternatives include a hot shower or a constant flow of hot water on the sting site.

Use of vinegar is not helpful and may increase the pain of bluebottle jellyfish stings.

Bullous wounds from severe stings may require dressings.