← Snakes, bites and stings

In the water

Stonefish, bluebottles and stingrays

Hot water

Do now Hot water for 20 minutes, as hot as they can comfortably stand.

Use hot water for stings from bluebottles, non-tropical jellyfish, stinging fish (stonefish, lionfish, bullrout), stingrays, crown-of-thorns starfish and sea urchins. Make the water as hot as the person can comfortably stand, and soak the area for 20 minutes. Do not burn them.

  • Lift the area out of the water briefly before putting it back. If the pain continues, carry on.
  • Do not use vinegar on a bluebottle. Go to hospital quickly if symptoms are severe.

Box jellyfish, Irukandji and bluebottles on the beach page

SourcesANZCOR — marine envenomation (9.4.5)Better Health Channel — bites and stings first aid

Its own page

More in in the water

This is one card from Snakes, bites and stings, part of Emergency and safety. General information, not legal, medical or migration advice.

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