Jellyfish and other sea creature stings

When I was a child I was once stung by a huge jellyfish (a Portuguese man-of-war), and to this day I remember the agony.

A sea creature sting can usually be treated with first aid but if serious symptoms develop call an ambulance. Fortunately, there are only a few stinging sea creatures in the seas around the UK...

Jellyfish are mushroom-shaped with long, thin tentacles and float near the surface. The tentacles are covered with small poisonous sacs which produce a nasty sting.

Portuguese man-of-war is a big jellyfish-like creature with a large purple-blue, gas-filled bladder and tentacles that hang below the water.

They’re usually found in tropical waters, but some have been spotted in UK waters or found washed up on beaches.

Sea urchins are small and round with a bony shell. They’re usually found on rocks and in seaweed.

Sea urchin spines are hard, sharp and can cause puncture wounds.

Stingrays are flat, round or diamond-shaped and have a sharp, serrated barb underneath their tail.

Weever fish are small, sandy-coloured fish that lie in the sand. They have poisonous spines and gills that can sting you.

All stings are painful and cause swelling, inflammation or raised areas of skin and nausea. Depending on what you have been stung by, you could have the following symptoms too:

Weever fish and sea urchins often leave spines in the wound which can be difficult to remove.

Stingrays can leave a large, jagged cut or puncture wound.

Jellyfish and Portuguese men-of-war often leave raised blisters in the shape of their own tentacles.

Seek medical help if you have severe, prolonged pain; chest pain or breathing problems; severe redness and swelling around the affected area; fits or seizures.

Take proper precautions – observe beach warning signs, don’t touch sea creatures that sting, and wear a wetsuit and waterproof footwear.