It is always funny when common beliefs are taken one step further into the really weird.
I was having a conversation the other day, and we were talking about some common health issues that come up in summer and how to solve them. Someone mentioned this little tip: if you see a jelly fish in the ocean, you should pee because that will scare it away, and it won’t bite. Um, while I have no idea if jelly fish have an aversion to human urine, I’m guessing that peeing near a jelly fish, besides being a little disgusting, won’t really make a difference as to whether or not you get stung.
This belief probably came from the more common thought that peeing on a jelly fish sting, not on the jelly fish itself, will take away the pain of the sting. This old wives’ tale has been around for a long time, but I hate to say that it doesn’t work, at least according to the Red Cross.
The idea behind peeing on a jellyfish sting comes from the correct thought that the jelly fish toxin needs to be neutralized by something. This is true. The toxin can spread quickly, especially if the wound is rubbed or drinking water is poured over it (it activates the toxins even more).
The Red Cross suggests a good soaking in vinegar or mixing up a combination of baking soda and seawater for the wound. While it might be more of a pain to remember to throw these things in your beach bag or car, I personally think that is a lot better to do than to ask someone to pee on you.
Because a jelly fish sting does contain a toxin, it is possible that you could develop a more severe reaction after a sting, especially if you have a history of sever allergic reactions. If, after a sting, you find that you are having trouble breathing, call 911 to be safe.