If you've ever felt the sting of a jellyfish, you know to steer clear. These graceful ocean dancers can ruin the best of beach days.
Jellyfish are common in all waters and the dreaded Portuguese man of war has occasionally found its way into the New England area. The Portuguese Man of War , also known as the bluebubble or bluebottle, is commonly thought of as a jellyfish but is actually a siphonophore -a colony of four sorts of polyps. The man of war has a large float, which may appear pink, blue or purple. Man o' war tentacles can be as long as 165 feet.
Each jellyfish tentacle can house millions of stinging cells, called nematocysts, which eject a barbed thread and sometimes poison. Contrary to popular belief, jellyfish do not consciously sting; barbs are automatically released when an object comes in contact with the cells. Dead jellyfish can also be hazardous to beachgoers.
Jellyfish stings can be serious, but are seldom fatal. Usually symptoms include a burning sensation, redness and welts, and swelling of the lymph nodes. In rare cases, a jellyfish sting may induce anaphylactic shock and require hospitalization.
If you are stung by a jellyfish:
More Beach Safety: