Pretty colours, feisty sting

As the RT reported in the May issue, new technology is being developed to spot them, but there is still a risk. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you are at the beach.

First, check the colour of the flag when you arrive at the beach. If green, you’re safe, but if orange it usually means a jellyfish has been spotted.

Secondly, it is worth knowing that jellyfish can only move up and down, not side to side, usually riding the waves so if you spot one you know how to avoid it. Furthermore, although they look lifeless on shore, it’s never a good idea to go near or touch one.

Some jellyfish are more harmful than others. The most common one in the Mediterranean is the ‘mauve stinger’ (Pelagia noctiluca). As the name suggests, these are a mauve colour, but can also be golden yellow, tan or pink. Their stings are painful but not fatal. If you are stung do not wash the sting with alcohol or fresh water and never rub the infected area - it will only increase pain. Do rinse it with salt water and remove fragments of the stingers on your skin using gloves or tweezers.  To relieve the pain ask your pharmacy for a freezing spray as they are effective.   

Nathalie Miraval