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Teens: How can you care for marine stings and scrapes?
Pain medicine for any bite or sting
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
Jellyfish and Portuguese man-of-war stings
- To help with itching, take an over-the-counter antihistamine. Or you can apply 1% hydrocortisone cream. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. This may help relieve pain.
- If your doctor told you how to care for the sting, follow your doctor's instructions. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice:
- Wash the area with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
- You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
- Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
Seabather's eruption
- To help with itching, take an over-the-counter antihistamine. Or you can apply 1% hydrocortisone cream. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. This may help relieve pain.
- Wash the rash with soap and water daily.
Coral scrapes and cuts
- If your doctor told you how to care for your wound, follow your doctor's instructions. If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice:
- Wash the area with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
- You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
- Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
Marine stings and scrapes in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
- Your child's tongue or throat is swelling.
- Your child has breathing problems or wheezing.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child is dizzy or lightheaded or feels about to faint.
- Your child has signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness around the area.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
- The sting or scrape starts to bleed, and blood soaks through the bandage. Oozing small amounts of blood is normal.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if the rash, sting, or scrape is not getting better each day.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.