As Irukandji jellyfish continue to move south along the Queensland coast, what do you do if you're stung and how do you treat it?

The march of the Irukandji jellyfish continues to spread causing issues for tourists and tourism alike.

Earlier this week a 40-year-old man was treated for a suspected Irukandji sting after swimming on Fraser Island, making it the eighth reported Irukandji sting in the past 12 months.

Griffith University PhD student Shannon Klein believes if the animal begins breeding off the Queensland south-east coast it could causes problems.

"We could see increased incidences of the adult jellyfish coming down on the east Australian current," she said.

"With climate change, the current is strengthening, so in the short-term if the habitats are available, then it is possible that they could establish."

She says the progress of the Irukandji jellyfish is part of a worldwide trend, where tropical marine species are moving towards the world's poles as oceans warm.

The facts:

The name Irukandji encompasses a group of small-sized carybdeids

They are located in waters north of Agnes Waters Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia south of Exmouth

The size of the jellyfish is usally 1-2 centimetres in diameter

Treating a sting

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) advises beachgoers to remove victims from the water and place them in a safe location with someone monitoring them for a minimum of 45 minutes.

The victim's skin will begin to sting followed by muscular pain, headaches and vomiting which can occur up to 40 minutes after the sting. High blood pressure and chest pain may also persist.

SLSQ advises the following:

Call for help - dial 000 for an ambulance

Emergency care - provide CPR if needed

Treat the sting - pour vinegar onto affected area and remove any tentacles

Seek medical aid - transport to hospital

Please note the above does not apply to bluebottle stings. The official advice for bluebottle stings is to gently wash off the stingers with sea water and then immerse the area in hot water for 20 minutes.