What should be avoided when treating a jellyfish sting?

When treating a jellyfish sting, it is important to avoid removing tentacles with bare hands because this could lead to additional stings. The tentacles may still contain nematocysts, which are specialized cells that can inject venom even after the jellyfish is no longer alive. Using bare hands could cause the person treating the sting to get stung as well.

Instead, it is recommended to carefully remove tentacles using a pair of tweezers or another tool that can protect the hands, so as to minimize the risk of getting stung oneself. Other treatment methods, such as rinsing with seawater or applying vinegar and ice, serve specific purposes that can help alleviate pain and inactivate toxins without the risk of further injury.