On the Costa Daurada, jellyfish don’t show up every day — but when the wind and currents bring them close to shore, they turn up in the same swimming area as everyone else. If you’ve just been stung, here’s what to do — and, more importantly, what not to do.
First: leave the water calmly
You don’t need to run or swim fast — sudden exertion only makes the sting hurt more. Walk out of the water, let whoever is with you know, and find somewhere to sit down.
The three steps that actually work
- Remove any tentacle remains stuck to the skin, using tweezers or the rigid edge of a card. Never with bare fingers or your hand — tentacles keep releasing toxin even once separated from the jellyfish.
- Rinse the area with seawater, never fresh water. Fresh water changes the pressure on any stinging cells left on the skin and makes them release more venom — the opposite of what you want.
- Apply indirect cold — ice or something cold wrapped in a cloth, never ice directly on the skin — for 10 to 15 minutes. It calms the pain and reduces local inflammation.
What’s commonly said and shouldn’t be done
- Don’t apply vinegar, ammonia, alcohol or urine. This is probably the most widespread myth about jellyfish stings, and it isn’t harmless: the effect depends on the species, and for several found in the Mediterranean these substances make the reaction worse, not better.
- Don’t rub the area with sand or a towel. Friction fires off more stinging cells that may still be on the skin.
- Don’t scratch, however much it itches. Scratching only spreads the irritated area.
What to expect afterwards
Intense stinging, redness and a linear mark where the tentacle touched are the normal reaction, and usually settle within a few hours with the care above. Residual itching can last a day or two.
At Farmàcia Arqué, no appointment needed
Come by Passeig de Miramar 72, right on Ponent Beach, and we’ll help based on how the area looks: soothing gel, an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream if there’s inflammation, an oral antihistamine for widespread itching, or simply assessing the sting and telling you whether that’s enough. We speak Spanish, Catalan, English and French, all year round.
When it’s not just the skin anymore
Go to a medical centre or call 112 if you notice:
- Difficulty breathing or a feeling of tightness in the throat
- Significant swelling spreading beyond the contact area
- Dizziness, nausea or vomiting after the sting
- The sting affects the face, neck or a large area of the body
- The person stung is a young child
Outside our opening hours, the duty pharmacy in Salou covers the 24-hour shift. If you’re heading to the beach with children, the kit we recommend packing is in travel first aid kit: what to pack for Salou.
This article is for information only and does not replace assessment by a healthcare professional for a specific symptom. If you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction, call 112 without waiting. Sources: Spanish Red Cross — first aid, Spanish Ministry of Health — beach safety, Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES).