Jellyfish-like creature with powerful sting spotted on GA beaches. How to treat if stung
Nothing ruins a beach day faster than a sting from a floating creature with venomous tentacles.
They’re called Portuguese Man o’ War and if you spot one on the beaches of Georgia, stay far away.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Man o’ War have tentacles with “coiled, barbed tubes that deliver venom capable of paralyzing and killing small fish and crustaceans.”
Their sting is also highly painful to humans. If stung, symptoms include:
A sharp, stinging, or burning pain
Red, string-like lash marks that may blister
Swelling and redness around the affected area
Other possible symptoms include nausea, headaches, muscle weakness, heart symptoms, or even difficulty breathing in severe cases
So, what should you do (and not do) if stung by one? Here’s what to know:
Here’s what to do if you’re stung by a Man o’ War
No doubt, it’ll hurt, but stay calm and follow these instructions to relieve the pain:
Remove tentacles
“Carefully remove any remaining tentacles that might still be on the skin, but use a towel or something so that you don’t get stung when removing them,” said Dr. Joe Richardson, a Tybee Beach marine scientist.
Soak the area
“Rinse with seawater or hot water (at a temperature you can comfortably tolerate) for about 20 minutes to help deactivate the remaining toxins,” according to Surfer Today.
Heat & pain relievers
Apply a hot towel to help with mild pain relief. If you still have pain after this step, it is recommended to take over the counter pain medication. However, if you have trouble breathing or chest pain, seek medical help immediately.
Add some cream
“Apply 0.5% to 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment twice a day to the affected skin,” experts at the Mayo Clinic said.
Here’s what not to do if you’re stung
According to Surfer Today, many experts say to rinse the area with vinegar, but doing so may actually make the pain worse.
In addition, Mayo Clinic urges against the following:
Scraping out stingers
Rinsing with human urine
Rinsing with cold, fresh water
Applying meat tenderizer
Applying alcohol, ethanol or ammonia
Rubbing with a towel
Applying pressure bandages
Have more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published July 12, 2024 at 2:13 PM with the headline "Jellyfish-like creature with powerful sting spotted on GA beaches. How to treat if stung."
