Beach Safety Tips – Blue Bottle Stings

By Lifeguard Lenny on October 25, 2010 in Other

Each month for the duration of ‘beach season’ I will providing The Beast with a small snippet of beach safety information, whether it be simply wearing sun cream, or something more complex like how to spot a rip.

This month, given the influx of blue bottles (a.k.a. Portuguese Man o’ War) that the onshore winds have brought to our shores recently, I thought it best to start with what to do if you are unfortunate enough get tagged by one of these inflammatory little floaters.

Firstly, if you do get stung, try not to panic. If you move too much, the tentacles will stick to body faster and in more places, which means more stings. The tentacles can be easily removed by hand as the skin on the palms is hard for the sting to penetrate, due largely to the absence of hair follicles in this area. The sooner you remove the tentacles the better.

Over the years, there have been many ailments and old wives’ tales surrounding the treatment of blue bottle stings. Despite what you may have heard, the most successful methods are warm-to-hot water on the affected area or ice to numb the pain.

Having been stung, it is normal to feel pain in the armpits or groin and to feel nauseous. A bit of shade, some rest and plenty of water are all recommended. If you think you are having an allergic reaction, it is important to seek medical assistance immediately.