- Jellyfish sightings have already exceeded 2013?s total UK record
- Most reactions to bites and stings can be treated without medical help
View
comments
Hot water: Jellyfish sightings are already topping the 2013 record
We’re heading in droves to the beaches – but there are dangers lurking in our famously bracing seas.
The waters off the British Isles aren’t home to man-eaters, but there are some painful hazards.
The Marine Conservation Society says jellyfish sightings by the public this year have already exceeded 2013’s record total.
Stings from sea creatures require a range of different actions.
You can treat most yourself, but if any symptoms involve severe pain, swelling or difficulty breathing, call 999 or 112 immediately
WEEVER FISH
WHAT IS IT? A small, long-bodied fish with eyes at the top of the head and poisonous spines. Most human contact is with the lesser weever, up to 5in long.
WHERE IS IT FOUND? Near sandy beaches along the South Coast. It favours warm, shallow water where it lies buried in sand with just the sting sticking up – ready to be trodden on.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS? Poisonous spines on its dorsal fin and gills can mean a very painful sting – most occur around low tide, peaking in August.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? RNLI lifeguard manager Barry Heathfield says: ‘Most lifeguards see a few stings from sea creatures every summer. For weever fish, immerse the area in water as hot as you can tolerate as quickly as possible. Leave in for 20 to 30 minutes, or longer if the pain isn’t alleviated. This breaks down the protein-based venom. Otherwise you may feel throbbing spreading through the area.’
There are rarely any spikes left in the wound. ‘Should there be, you could try to remove it with tweezers,’ says Barry. ‘Our immediate concern is allergic reaction – if the whole foot swells up, then get to AE.’
St John Ambulance trainer Isobel Kearl adds: ‘If spines are embedded, don’t dig around. Go to AE to have them safely removed in case of infection.’ A tetanus jab may be needed.
SEA URCHIN
WHAT IS IT?A small, spiny, globular creature. There are more than 700 types.
WHERE IS IT FOUND? On the seabed, in rock pools, or burrowed into the sand.
Prickly problem: There are more than 700 types of sea urchins living across the world’s seabeds
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS? Some are covered with prominent spines that can inflict puncture wounds, usually when people step on them or pick them up.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
‘You don’t see many sea urchin injuries on British beaches,’ says
Barry. ‘Treatment is similar to that for a weever fish, but the spines
are sometimes left in and do need removing – it’s like having lots of
splinters stuck in the foot.
Immerse in hot water to soften skin and
alleviate pain, then you can pull them out yourself with tweezers. Watch
for allergic reaction.’ Isobel says: ‘Don’t bandage wounds. Again, we
recommend having spines removed professionally.’
STINGRAY
WHAT IS IT? Flat fish, related to a shark, about 2ft across with a long, whip-like tail.
WHERE IS IT FOUND? It prefers tropical seas but in warmer weather may visit the Channel and Irish Sea. It buries itself under sediment.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS? They are armed with large, serrated stinging spines up to 15in long that inflict a painful, though not usually serious, injury. Australian wildlife expert Steve Irwin died when a stingray spine pierced his chest.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? ‘You are incredibly unlikely to encounter a stingray in British waters,’ says John Richardson at The Shark Trust. ‘If pierced by a spine, see a medical professional as soon as possible.’
If you step on a weever fish, immerse the area in hot water and leave in for 20 to 30 minutes, in order to break down the protein-based venom
JELLYFISH
WHAT IS IT? A boneless, umbrella-shaped creature with hanging tentacles.
WHERE IS IT FOUND? Throughout British coastal waters, most prevalent in the South West.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS? The sting is painful but doesn’t usually require specialist treatment.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? ‘Be extremely careful not to rub the stung area should there be tentacles stuck to the skin as you’ll spread the venom,’ says Barry. ‘Scrape them off carefully. Vinegar or cold seawater alleviate the pain – dash into the nearest fish and chip shop or just scoop up seawater. It helps to regulate the pH level.’ Avoid cold packs or fresh water. Dial 999 if there is any difficulty breathing or chest pain.
PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR
WHAT IS IT? A compound animal consisting of a colony of four kinds of polyps under a gas-filled float, with tentacles that can stretch more than 40ft. It is blown by the wind.
WHERE IS IT FOUND? Although a rare visitor, some years there are increased sightings around our southern coasts.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS? The long tentacles that paralyse or kill fish. It is most commonly encountered washed up.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? Barry says: ‘Scrape off remaining tentacles. Apply hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. If it is not available, use seawater. If pain lasts more than an hour, or if the sting gets infected, seek medical help.’
or comment on this article
-
Bad kitty! Woman trying to give away ‘lovely cat’ gets…
-
A duck and a puppy play together like best friends
-
Shocking video shows a cat being booted down the street
-
How does this man keep his cool with this extreme road rage?
-
Outrage as birthday laser message sparks racist remarks
-
US hits ISIS with air strikes to save non-Muslims from…
-
‘Subway Secret Recipe to Deceive the Customers Revealed’
-
Joan Rivers: Palestinians deserve to die, they started this…
-
Daredevil looks shocked as he almost slips off structure
-
US warplanes given green light to launch air attacks on Iraq
-
Up close with the $300m super-yacht where Bill Gates is…
-
Indian businessman takes a stroll in his 4kg gold shirt
-
Lined up and executed, their severed heads put on display as…
-
‘#AmessagefromISIStoUS’: Islamist militants tweet gruesome…
-
‘We’re getting overrun and the danger is increasing… we…
-
Mystery surrounds discovery of girl, 18, who was found…
-
Little man’s best friend!: Adorable photographs of big dogs…
-
Sarah Ferguson to cut short Balmoral break with Prince…
-
‘An absentee President’: Obama under fire for jetting out to…
-
‘They have vicious plans for them’: Fears for hundreds of…
-
Dramatic first strike on Islamic State by American forces…
-
Shocking footage emerges of laughing thug kicking a cat…
-
Hepburn, Hitler and Einstein as you’ve never seen them…
-
Six-year-old Washington girl who went missing from her…
Comments (0)
what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.
Find out now