Among these particularly prickly enemies, there is for example a species of jellyfish 30 centimeters in diameter reported on the beaches of the Pyrénées-Orientales from July. It is called the radiated jellyfish because of the kind of brown star on its surface.
As often with its cousins, the risk comes mainly from contact with its two-meter-long tentacles. Dr. Magali Labadie, head of the poison control center at Bordeaux University Hospital, explains that these tentacles are indeed covered with microscopic attack devices against their prey. If they touch your skin, they trigger the opening of a kind of harpoon launch pad containing a venom intended to neutralize their future meal.
It is this venom that can cause different symptoms, depending on the species you have encountered. Sensation of stinging, burning, electric shock with or without itching.
Regardless of the level of pain, it is always a source of significant stress, especially for children. You have to manage to gently remove the tentacles that are still present, without crushing them, with dry sand and protecting your hands, of course. Then scrape everything off with a sturdy cardboard or plastic card. Then rinse with sea water or saline, but especially not fresh water. If the symptoms persist, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.
Extra vigilance is needed for physalia, une new family of particularly aggressive jellyfish, because it is a species from tropical seas whose venom is particularly toxic. the “body“ about twenty centimeters looks like a plastic bag filled with water, as described by Régis Lecoq, head of recreational water at the Pays de la Loire Regional Health Agency. His agency organizes a monitoring system to alert swimmers in the event of arrival on its shores.
⚠DANGER #physalis #jellyfish
➡️1 stranding is observed on the beaches #LaTurballe #loire Atlantique
⛔Do not touch
ℹ️https://t.co/cn8oAWJqFQ pic.twitter.com/mjbQffI7DR– ARS Pays de la Loire (@ars_pdl) October 4, 2017
The threat comes from tentacles more than 10 meters long which can detach themselves in the sea. Suddenly, discreetly, they risk surrounding a significant part of the body of the swimmers. This causes infernal pain, according to the patients treated by Dr. Labadie. She then advises to immediately contact the first aid station on the beach. Do not stay alone because if the bites are numerous, they can cause respiratory distress. Everything normally dissipates within a few hours. It’s quite worrying. Fortunately, you can find out about the presence of jellyfish before choosing your beach.