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Beware! The Portuguese Man-of-War

On the beach it’s not unusual to see an object that looks like a harmless blue plastic bag.The curious beachcomber who picks it up or pops it, could be in for a painful shock. That tinted pink, blue, or purple gas filled float, similar to a small oblong balloon, is a Man-of-War, a member of the jellyfish family. It floats on top of the water and has tentacles that may reach up to 50 feet long and dangle below the surface of the water. They are predominately present during the months of November through April. Strong easterly winds carry them to shore and the shoreline.

Each Man-of-War's tentacle is made up of many tiny individual stinging cells which give off a highly toxic poison and affects the nervous system. The stinging cells in the tentacles can live for a long time even after they wash ashore. Be wary and remember, they can sting even when on the beach.

Man-of-War are infamous for their very painful powerful stings, leaving whip-like, red welts on the skin and normally lasting 2-3 days after the initial sting. The pain can last up to an hour and usually stays in the area where the victim is stung. Occasionally the pain will travel to other parts of the body. A sting may lead to an allergic reaction. There can be serious side effects, including tightness in the chest, respiratory difficulty, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and shock, requiring immediate medical attention. Young children, the elderly, and people who are prone to allergic reactions from bee stings and other insect bites are more susceptible to the serious symptoms.

Anyone who suffers a Man-of-War sting should seek the assistance of a lifeguard, who will treat the victim with plain distilled vinegar. If a lifeguard is unavailable, any tentacles visible on the skin of the victim should be carefully pulled off immediately using a towel, stick or anything handy, taking care not to touch them to avoid a secondary sting. Flush the affected area with salt water to remove any adhering tentacles. Do NOT rub the affected area. Hot packs or hot showers also give relief. For persistent itching or skin rash, see a local pharmacist for hydrocortisone ointment or Benadryl.

When the Man-of-War is present, the purple flag will be flown on lifeguard towers.