Jellyfish Sting Swimmers Across The Jersey Shore

JERSEY SHORE — Beachgoers in Ocean and Monmouth counties reported a number of jellyfish stings this past weekend.

Multiple social media posts reported being stung at beaches including Asbury Park, Seaside Park and more. Photos have been posted in the Facebook group New Jersey Jellyspotters.

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Paul Bologna, a jellyfish expert and biology professor at Montclair State University, told News 12 New Jersey the jellyfish are mauve stingers. These jellyfish have a painful sting.

While jellyfish are common at the shore, particularly during this time of year, mauve stingers are rare. Beachgoers are more likely to see bay nettles or the lion's mane jellyfish.

This is the first time this summer mauve stingers have appeared the the Jersey Shore, Bologna told News 12.

If you get stung, there are a few things you can do.

• RELATED: Jellyfish At The Jersey Shore: How To Stop The Sting

1. Pour white vinegar after the initial sting. This immobilizes any stinging cells which have not fired.
2. Then, pour salt water across the sting area to wash away any remaining tentacles. DO NOT pour fresh or bottled water over the area, because it causes osmotic shock to the stinging cells just immobilized and they will fire and continue to sting.
3. Wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth and then apply a hot compress to the area. The heat helps denature, or destroy, the venom proteins.

A remedy to skip is urinating on the sting. That's a myth, according to experts.