Is it true that if you...?!
Question:
Is it true that if you...?
Find yourself stung by a jellyfish, that urine will neutralize the poison?
Wouldnt you be more likely to get an infection from that?
Answers:
Urine contains ammonia, it not only neutralizes the poison, but dissolves the stingers. Urine itself is sterile when it leaves the body, so any infection would not come from it. The beach near my house is prone to Portuguese Man-O-War invasions (They are similar jelly fish) and we always take unflavored meat tenderizer when we go. It works great. The lifeguards also have a spray bottle filled with vinegar, and that also works good. We have monthly Box Jellyfish invasions along our south shore (Waikiki, Haunama Bay, Ala Moana) and the recommended treatment is vinegar. Rinsing with sea water doesn't really help, and rinsing with fresh water can aggravate some stings.