If you go down to the sea today be very careful where you step

LAST week’s long-awaited heatwave had everyone flocking to the beach but reports of the arrival some highly venomous jellyfish made some think twice about dipping their toe in the water.

The largest known species of jellyfish, the lion’s mane jellyfish, has been spotted in the waters around the east coast of Ireland, with reported sightings along the Wexford coast. The jellyfish’s sting is much stronger than those of other species found in Irish waters and can cause anaphylactic reactions in those who are allergic.

‘We have been getting the lion’s mane jellyfish on and off for 15 years. However in the last three years, they have been arriving in much much larger numbers and this is possibly related to global warming,’ said John Leech of Irish Water Safety.

‘In the summer months, we are seeing them here in numbers that we have never seen before.’

John revealed that there is at least one hospitalisation in Ireland each year following a sting from a lion’s mane jellyfish and warned swimmers in Wexford and other eastern counties to be extremely vigilant. The sting of the lion’s mane jellyfish can last for days after the creature is dead so people are advised not to touch any they find washed up on the shore.

Reports of a highly venomous Portuguese man o’ war jellyfish washed up on Carne beach last week were quashed by John, who said that it was in fact a barrel jellyfish.

‘Dr Tom Doyle who is one of the best jellyfish experts in the country confirmed that it wasn’t a man o’war,’ he said. ‘It had been dead for a few days and looked like a man o’ war without the tentacles so those who reported it could be totally forgiven for thinking it was one.’

John said it is important for people to get clued in on how to treat jellyfish stings. He dismissed the idea of urinating on a sting as an ‘old wive’s tale’, saying that it is the worst thing one can do.

‘Doing that or using vinegar agitates it and makes it sting more. This can increase the likelihood of bringing on anaphylactic shock.’

‘ The best thing to do is remove the tentacles and bathe it in saltwater. If the sting continues or you feel unwell, you should go straight to A and E,’ he continued. ‘ Thankfully, the lifeguards in Wexford and elsewhere have been trained to deal with stings.’