July 29, 2022 - 1949 views
It's that time of the year when local and visitors in North Wales enjoy days on the coast but unfortunately as the weather warms up, the number of jellyfish sightings increase.
In Conwy marine monitoring officers have reported that the number of jellyfish spotted in recent days is increasing and have issued advice to people who have had the misfortune to be stung.
Every summer, jellyfish visit our shores and because of the rise in temperature of the sea, jellyfish have been found on some of the beaches in our county.
Jellyfish are marine animals. Their venom can kill a small marine animal but humans tend to experience a rash, redness or stinging pain, in extreme cases raised welts, and muscle spasms. The severity depends on the type of jellyfish.
If you do swim in the sea during the summertime, please be aware that your skin may become irritated even if there is no direct contact with a jellyfish or from jellyfish that have been washed on to the shore (not in the water).
The NHS publishes the following tips for treating a jellyfish sting:
Do:
Rinse the affected area with seawater (not fresh water)
- Remove any spines from the skin using tweezers or the edge of a bank card
- Soak the area in very warm water (as hot as can be tolerated) for at least 30 minutes – use hot flannels or towels if you can soak it
- Take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen
Don't:
- Use vinegar
- Urinate on the sting
- Apply ice or a cold pack
- Touch any spines with your bare hands
- Cover or close the wound
