Similar to sculpin venom, stingray venom also breaks down upon exposure to heat, so the treatment is the same as for sculpin stings. Following the hot water treatment, examination by a physician should take place. Stingray injuries can be minimized by swimmers splashing and shuffling their feet upon entering the water to warn off the stingrays. If given they opportunity, they will swim away. The jellyfish found off the coast of Southern California are of low toxicity but can produce a painful and very uncomfortable envenomation.
Swimmers usually contact the jellyfish while floating on the surface of the water.
Thousands of minute stinging cells are present on each jellyfish tentacle. Upon contact with skin, each cell triggers a small injection device and injects a droplet of venom. The venom produces a burning pain and in susceptible people may produce an allergic reaction. There is considerable debate as to what the proper first-aid procedure should be for jellyfish stings. Any tentacles that are adherent to the skin should be carefully removed with a towel or piece of cloth.