Holidaymakers heading to Spain this summer have been issued a stark warning about a rising threat across several Spanish beaches.
According to local reports, five people have been stung by a Portuguese man o’war just this week, all of whom required medical treatment. The marine creature, frequently mistaken for a jellyfish, can inflict an excruciating and occasionally dangerous sting on those who come into contact with it while swimming.
Incidents of people being stung have been reported on numerous beaches, including Costa del Sol, San Juan, and Salinas. Despite the potential danger posed by these blue-purple sea creatures to swimmers, local authorities have not yet deemed it necessary to close any affected beaches.
It’s thought that the surge in man o’war activity along the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula is due to the increased number of bathers in the sea during the summer season. Changes in currents and rising water temperatures could also be contributing to the heightened activity from these sea creatures.
How to identify a Portuguese man o’war
Despite often being categorised as a jellyfish, the Portuguese man o’war actually belongs to a different species. They are typically found in tropical and subtropical seas and can sometimes be seen in groups of more than 1,000.
The ‘head’ of a man o’war is often compared to a balloon and may be blue, purple, or pink. Moreover, their tentacles can grow exceptionally long, reaching lengths of around 10 to 30 metres.
These tentacles are particularly perilous as they can deliver a venom potent enough to kill small fish and cause severe pain and welts on human skin. Even when washed ashore for a prolonged period, a man o’war retains its ability to inflict a painful sting.
What to do if stung by a Portuguese man o’war
While a sting from a man o’war can be excessively painful, it is rarely fatal and can be treated. People who have been stung while abroad should seek local medical assistance as soon as possible, including asking for a lifeguard or someone with first aid training.
According to the Foreign Office, British travellers in Spain can dial 112 on their phone to get in contact with an ambulance, police, or fire services. If you have travel insurance, you may also need to contact them to tell them you’ve been involved in a medical emergency, especially if hospital treatment is required from a sting as this may be covered.
NHS guidance also highlights that people who have been stung should rinse the affected area in seawater while removing any spines in the skin with tweezers or the edge of a bank card. It is also recommended to soak the area in very warm water for at least 30 minutes alongside painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
The same guidance highlights that – despite what you might have seen on a 90s sitcom – you should never urinate on a sting, or apply an ice or cold pack.
