Jellyfish and Other Beach Hazards

Jellyfish can be more harmful than they appear with long, spindly tentacles that can inflict red welts and severe pain. If you should happen to come into unfriendly contact with one, however, here are some remedies to ease your pain

• Wash the area with sea water
• Apply vinegar, or if it is unavailable, rubbing alcohol or baking soda
• Remove tentacles with tweezers
• Apply shaving cream and shave area with a butter knife or tongue blade
• Reapply vinegar and apply cortisone cream
• A physician should be contacted immediately if any of the following symptoms develop: nausea, vomiting, joint pain, headache, shortness of breath or a stumbling gait
• One of our visitors raves about the benefits of pressing a fresh slice of papaya on the sting. Welts are supposed to disappear within minutes

Coping With Stings

Bees, hornets and wasps are among the more common stingers in our area and their stings can cause pain, swelling and redness for up to 2 days. Here are some ways to relieve the discomfort. To avoid stings, walk calmly away from insects and avoid wearing perfume or bright yellow clothes when outdoors