Transparent box jellyfish Carybdea xaymacana with four tentacles visible in clear water.
19 Feb 2026

WA Stinger Jellyfish — Carybdea xaymacana

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Understanding Your Sting

You have been stung by a box-type jellyfish commonly called a ‘stinger’ in Western Australia. It is not the same as a Box Jellyfish, which is a larger and much more venomous cousin of the humble stinger.
The species involved is Carybdea xaymacana, found in Western Australian waters.

This jellyfish has small tentacles that release venom through tiny harpoon-like cells in the skin.

The venom causes:

  • Immediate sharp or burning pain
  • Red or raised whip-like marks
  • Local swelling

Most stings from this species cause significant pain but are not life-threatening.

It is common to experience:

  • Moderate to severe pain for 30–90 minutes
  • Redness or raised welts
  • Itching over the next 1–3 days
  • Mild swelling

The marks may look dramatic but usually settle within a few days.

Normal recovery:

  • Pain improves over hours. Skin changes improve over several days.

Not normal (non-urgent review needed):

  • Increasing redness or swelling after 48 hours
  • Pus or spreading warmth (possible infection)
  • Persistent pain beyond 72 hours

See your GP within 24–48 hours if these occur.

Remove any residual stingers

  • Visible stingers still attached: remove with tweezers, a stick, or fingers
  • Microscopic stinger cells: Wash the area with SEA WATER

Relieve the pain

  • Hot water immersion (as hot as tolerable, not scalding) is the first and most effective step in management of symptoms
  • Continue hot water immersion for 20 minutes if pain returns
  • Take simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (if safe for you)

Rest and recover

  • Keep the skin clean and dry
  • If itching develops, an oral antihistamine may help

DO NOT

  • Rub the area
  • Apply ice directly to the sting
  • Wash the area with fresh water before you have washed with sea water (this may cause more sting cells to fire)
  • Pour vinegar onto the sting (this may increase the pain)
  • Urinate on the sting (this is gross, and doesn’t help)

⚠️ Call 000 or go to the nearest Emergency Department if…

  • You develop chest tightness or trouble breathing
  • You feel faint, dizzy, or collapse
  • You have ongoing vomiting
  • You develop severe widespread rash or swelling of the lips or tongue
  • The pain becomes severe and uncontrollable

These symptoms are uncommon but require urgent medical review.

  • Mild itching can last a few days
  • Avoid scratching
  • Use a mild moisturiser once the skin has settled
  • Avoid sun exposure over the area for several days

Scarring is very uncommon.

You may return to swimming once:

  • Pain has settled
  • Skin is intact
  • You feel well

This may be immediately, or after some time; everyone is different. Be aware that stingers are more common in warmer months. Wearing protective swimwear can reduce risk.

  • See your GP if symptoms persist beyond 3 days
  • Seek earlier review if worsening

In Australia, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice.
Alternatively, contact your GP or local Emergency Department.

  • Isbister G, Palmer DJ, Weir RL, Currie BJ. Hot water immersion v icepacks for treating the pain of Chironex fleckeri stings: a randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust 2017; 206(6):258–61 (also applicable to C. xaymacana)
  • Atkinson PR, Boyle A, Hartin D, McAuley D. Is hot water immersion an effective treatment for marine envenomation? Emerg Med J 2006;23:503–8
  • Loten C, Stokes B, Worsley D, Seymour JE, Jiang S, Isbister GK. A randomised controlled trial of hot water (45°C) immersion versus ice packs for pain relief in bluebottle stings. Med J Aust 2006;184:329– 33
  • Tibballs J. Australian venomous jellyfish, envenomation syndrome, toxins and therapy. Toxicon 2006;48:830–59
  • Australian Resuscitation Council. Guideline: Envenomation – Jellyfish stings. 2021. Available at resus.org.au.

Based on current Australian marine envenomation guidance.
Version 1.0
Review due: February 2027 (Annual review)

NB: This information has been prepared with reference to the most up to date Australian standards and guidance in relevant sports medicine fields. It is prepared in good faith, however is only intended for use as explicitly directed by a DeployED health practitioner. It does not replace medical advice, nor does it purport to be perfect. If you have any doubts about the advice here, please consult your own doctor. If you have not been sent here by us, then this is not for you and DeployED accepts no responsibility for any outcomes which come to pass from your use of this information.

Follow Dr Stuart McLay:

Emergency Physician

Dr Stuart McLay is passionate about the delivery of exceptional care, everywhere. He is the founder of DeployED, a Fellow of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (FACEM - an Emergency Physician), a Core trainee of the College for Intensive Care Medicine, and a Mass Gathering Medicine / Expedition Medicine enthusiast. He's also a husband to 1, and father to 3, and a great annoyance to many.