What to do if your child gets stung by a jellyfish on your holiday. First step, don’t panic.
When to go to the hospital
Go to hospital if your child has difficulty breathing, dizziness, swollen tongue, persistent sneezing/coughing or chest pains, or was stung on their face or genitals.
Top tip: Using urine to treat a jellyfish sting is untrue and could actually make the injury worse, according to the NHS.
Cream
Use anti-histamine or hydrocortisone cream if there is still itching the following day – but this should be stopped if there is sign of infection.
Vinegar
Immerse it in vinegar for 15-30 minutes to neutralize the fish’s poison.
NB: treating a bluebottle sting is different, don’t use vinegar
Saltwater
Use saltwater (heat it if you can), if you don’t have vinegar.
Towels
Apply a towel soaked in sea water to the area. Then use a dry towel to brush off any remaining stingers.