09-07-2025
Jellyfish are lurking off the Delaware beaches. How to stay safe, what to do if stung
Everyone loves going to the Delaware beaches and having fun in the Atlantic Ocean, but you also have to respect everything that makes its home in the water.
While sharks seem to get all the attention, there's a more common concern, and if you run into them, you'll wish you hadn't.
We're talking about jellyfish. Here's what to know about them before you enter the water.
Summer fun in the First State: Welcome to our 2025 Delaware Summer Guide
Delaware is home to four different jellyfish, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The jellyfish are:
Lion's Mane: The largest known jellyfish species in the world. The jellyfish's bright, trailing tentacles look like a lion's mane and are easy to spot because of their orange color. They can be as large as 6 to 12 inches across at the bell, or the rounded part at the top. The stinging cells are not known to be fatal to people. But the sting site will be very red and painful.
Atlantic Sea Nettle: This species is somewhat clear, with small white dots and reddish-brown stripes. Their sting is strong to severe, but not deadly to humans.
Moon Jellyfish: The moon jellyfish looks like an underwater flying saucer and lights up at night. They don't have strong enough stinging power to penetrate our skin, but if you happen to get brushed by one, you will feel a minor stinging sensation.
Sea Walnut: They're not true jellyfish, but Ctenophores, or comb jellies. If you do see one, don't fret. They're harmless to people.
While not fatal, some jellyfish stings are incredibly painful. According to the Mayo Clinic, after getting stung, you should do the following:
Carefully pluck visible tentacles with fine tweezers.
Soak the skin in hot water (110 to 113 degrees). It should feel hot, but not scalding. Keep impacted skin immersed or in a hot shower for 20 to 45 minutes or until the pain eases.
Apply 0.5% to 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment twice daily to the affected skin.
If you are stung in the eye, you'll require medical care to control the pain and flush the eye.
If, by chance, you are stung by box jellyfish, which are found in tropical areas like the Indian and Pacific Oceans and not in Delaware, you will need medical attention and antivenom medication.
You may have seen the "Friends" episode where Monica was stung by a jellyfish. Don't do what Chandler and Joey did to fix the issue. Here's what to avoid, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Rinsing with human urine
Scraping out stingers
Rinsing with cold, fresh water
Applying meat tenderizer
Applying alcohol, ethanol or ammonia
Rubbing with a towel
Applying pressure bandages
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Which jellyfish are around Delaware? What to do if you get stung
