Soothe the Sting
General info to help you avoid jellyfish stings and feel better if one gets you. For serious symptoms, call 911 or see a medical professional.
General information only.Nothing here is medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not replace a lifeguard, EMT, nurse, or doctor. When in doubt, ask a lifeguard or seek medical care.
Stung right now in Ocean City?
- Get out of the water and stay calm.
- Rinse with seawater only — never fresh water, which fires off more stingers.
- Lift off any tentacles with a card edge or gloved hand; don't rub the skin.
- Apply a baking soda and seawater slurry for 15 minutes, then a hot (not scalding) shower or compress.
- Trouble breathing, chest pain, widespread welts or a child stung badly? Call 911 or flag the nearest Ocean City Beach Patrol stand.
General information from public guidance — not medical advice.
Avoiding stings
- Sea nettles thrive in warm, calm water — risk is highest during and after hot, low-wind stretches.
- Wear a rash guard or a t-shirt in the water to cut down on skin contact.
- Ask the lifeguards. They track conditions in real time and usually know which stretches are worse today.
- Check the map here before you head out, and again if you change beaches.
If you're stung
- Get out of the water calmly. Don't rub the area.
- Remove visible tentacles first — tweezers, a gloved hand, or the edge of a card. Do this before rinsing.
- Rinse with seawater only. Never freshwater — it can trigger more stinging cells to fire.
- Vinegar's benefit is disputed for this species. Current guidance favors a seawater and baking soda slurry or paste applied to the area.
- Once tentacles are gone, a hot water compress (as hot as tolerable, roughly 104–113°F) can help with pain.
- Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream and antihistamines help with itching and rash over the following days.
Mild burning, redness, and itching can last one to two weeks. That's normal healing, not a red flag by itself.
Get help immediately if…
- There's difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, dizziness, or nausea. These can signal a rare allergic reaction — call 911 or find a lifeguard now.
- Signs of infection appear days later: spreading redness or warmth, pus, or fever. See a doctor.
- The sting covers a large area of the body, or involves the eyes or mouth.
This page is general information only, not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. When in doubt, ask a lifeguard or seek medical care.