Cold Packs: Effective Topical Analgesia in the Treatment of Painful Stings by Physalia and Other Jellyfish

First aid for most jellyfish stings is to pour large amounts of vinegar over the affected area. This prevents any undischarged nematocysts (stinging cells) on the tentacles from firing more venom into the victim. Vinegar does not decrease pain or diminish the effects of the venom. Vinegar is not recommended for bluebottle (Portuguese man-o'-war) stings and may have little effect on irukandji stings. Bluebottle, irukandji, box jellyfish and Chiropsalmus quadrigata, stings have specific treatments recommended.