How to Treat a Bluebottle Sting

Most beach-goers in Australia swim at non-tropical beaches, and so are most likely to come across the more harmless, non-tropical stinger varieties such as the common bluebottle.

For the most part, bluebottles are just an annoying inconvenience and at the most will give you a fright and leave a nasty itchy rash.

For the average person, getting stung by one will present no harmful danger, however, for the very young, elderly, people allergic to them or in extreme cases, they can present further complications.

To treat a bluebottle sting:

- Find a place to rest with someone who can watch over you
- Don’t rub the sting area
- Washing the site of the sting with vinegar is NOT recommended
- Pick off any remaining tentacles with fingers (a harmless prickling may be felt)
- Rinse the stung area well with seawater to remove any invisible stinging cells
- Place the stung area in hot water (at a temperature your can comfortably tolerate)
- If the pain is unrelieved by the heat, or if hot water is not available, apply cold packs or wrapped ice.

If the symptoms persist or for stings that cover a particularly large area, or across the throat & face call triple zero.

Related Links:

How to assist a swimmer in difficulty
Why you shouldn't swim after it rains
More first aid tips for the beach

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