Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, have uncovered that jellyfish stings can see better results if treated with topical painkillers or water, a recent report has found.

While previous studies on the same matter had been conducted by Australian and Indonesian researchers, the team re-conducted the medical literature study so as to confine the findings to North America only.

It has been told that the species of jellyfish found in North America is different from that in Australia or Indonesia. Those studies had led the reviewers to conclude that vinegar or baking soda should be used, followed by ice or heat.

However, the current study has revealed that urination on the sting is not beneficial. Rather, cream with pain-numbing medication lidocaine should be applied. It is being said that lidocaine behaves as a local anaesthetic, thus causing more nematocysts left on the skin to be released.

Nematocysts, the report says, are venom sacs that are left by jellyfish further. Additionally, even simple hot water may prove more advantageous.

Nicholas Ward from the Annals of Emergency Medicine says, "Current research demonstrates variable response to treatment, often with conflicting results according to species studied, which contributes to considerable confusion about what treatment is warranted".