What to do if you are stung by a jellyfish – and it definitely DOESN’T involve urine
COULD we be more wrong? Millions still mistakenly believe that when you are stung by a jellyfish you should wee on the welt.
They have been fooled by 1990s sitcom Friends in which Chandler pees on Monica’s leg when she is stung.
Three in ten in the UK would urinate on themselves — and one in five misguided Brits would ask a friend or partner to shower them with home-made pain relief, a poll shows.
However, experts say splashing a jellyfish sting with urine is as brainless as the creatures themelves.
Jack Willans, from the Sea Life London Aquarium, which commissioned the poll, said: “It’s true what they say, you shouldn’t believe everything you see on the TV.
“Peeing on a jellyfish sting is the ultimate fake news — Chandler, Monica and Joey certainly have a lot to answer for.
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“We advise the public to steer clear of bodily fluids if unfortunate enough to get stung and follow some simple steps which don’t involve using urine.”
Unlucky swimmers should instead rinse it in the salty sea, use a stick to remove any tentacles then soak it in warm water.
Jellyfish sightings are common during summer in the UK as seas are warmer.
Extra daylight also means more plankton for the floating predators to eat.
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Species lurking in British waters are not dangerous but their stings can pack a painful punch.
Jack added: “There have been a series of sightings this summer resulting in people being stung.”
The poll found those in the East of England were most likely to believe the weeing myth, at 37 per cent.
Those in the North West were least likely, at 24 per cent.
