Without such treatment, tentacles which are disturbed may release additional nematocysts, causing additional irritation and swelling. Next, apply diluted ammonia, sodium bicarbonate, vinegar or meat tenderizer to the area to relieve pain. Meat tenderizer is one of the best sources of relief from stings. Add a small amount of water to the meat tenderizer to make a paste and smear it on the inflamed area. Meat tenderizer is an enzyme which breaks down proteins.
Jellyfish venom is made of protein and is consequently destroyed by the meat tenderizer.
The sea nettle is unusual in its ability to live in low salinity water. Most jellyfish species live at ocean water salinity, about 35 parts per thousand, while the sea nettle prefers waters with as little as 12 parts per thousand salinity. This means that it usually has estuaries like the Chesapeake Bay to itself without serious competition from most other jellyfish. In fact, sea nettles eat their most abundant competitors in the Bay, comb jellies, or ctenophores. Adult sea nettles have few natural predators in the middle reaches of the Chesapeake Bay.