02/16/2026
As y’all begin planning your family vacations, we're closer to the time of year that I get asked this question at least 3 or 4 times: “If I get stung by a jellyfish, we should p*e on it, right?” Um, no. But IF you do, please post it on social media, because I find that really really funny. Through my research, I cannot find why this medical myth is SO widespread, but there are some guesses, we’ll go over.
But first, jellyfish (which is neither jelly, nor fish, by the way) have tentacles covered in microscopic cells called Nematocysts that have tiny venom-covered needles that upon contact or pressure, shoot outward and into your vacationing leg. Once you touch one, your skin is TEEMING with thousands of these cells; some triggered and stinging, others just sitting there like timebombs. Any pressure, touching, rubbing, or certain substances can trigger the rest of them and make the pain WORSE! Oddly, freshwater is found to make the nematocysts sting! Therein lies the problem. As you are baking all day in the sun, trying to attain Dr. Kirk-level golden brownness, besides use of sunscreen, what would I be fussing at you about? HYDRATION! Hopefully, you are downing lots of beverages (won’t get into the specifics of what some of y’all are chuggin) to maintain hydration and this would lead to your urine being mostly water! Ouch, says the jellyfish sting. So, not only would p*eing have potential to worsen the sting, but you’ve also humiliated them. You’ve gone from being simply medically wrong, to being a very weird beach bully!
Urine contains trace amounts of ammonia, which WOULD be helpful, however as described above, the levels of ammonia would be so small and inconsistent, it wouldn’t be worth the try. That may be one source of why this was once thought to be a good idea. Also, HEAT can deactivate nematocysts, so perhaps the warmth of urine was a fleeting sense of relief. Which leads me to what you SHOULD do.
Vinegar is the universal magic cure and found in most lifeguard kits. If none available, salt water rinse (NOT FRESHWATER) can help wash some nematocysts off until you can get to vinegar or HOT water rinsing. I know, that goes against what I just said regarding freshwater, right? But, it’s not the liquid, it’s the presence of HEAT that immediately deactivates the sting. Think Jacuzzi/hot tub temperature rinse. Of course, ibuprofen/Tylenol for pain and Benadryl if you are allergic and expect to have some skin irritation that may last the rest of the week. Good luck out there, y’all. Save your p*e for that oddly warm hotel pool.
Yours in health and Christ, Dr. Kirk
