Due to latest sightings and reported stings of the Portuguese man-of-war in New Jersey, locals, officials and health care providers have raised concerns over awareness of this marine creature and the treatment of its painful sting.
Information has therefore been made available to the public to raise their awareness and ensure safety.
The latest sighting was reported to be in Stone Harbor, just this weekend. Dozens more were also said to have appeared in the earlier weeks.
NJ Advance Media then phone interviewed Gary Buchanan, Joseph Bilinski and Thomas Belton at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, to know more about the sudden appearances of Portuguese men-of-war.
While it may be true that the appearance of the Portuguese man-of-war or Physalia physalis is sudden, experts say that this is exactly the right time for the animals to appear - when the wind had to be out of the north and northeast, blowing the creatures to the shores.
The Portuguese man-of-war is a siphonophore and is only related to jellyfish. It is prey to the loggerhead sea turtle, sea slug, violet snail and some types of fish. Its sting is painful, but not fatal.
Unless symptoms become severe in muscle pain (abdomen, chest, limbs, etc.), headache, weakness that may result in collapse, having a runny nose and watery eyes, difficulty in swallowing, sweating and rashes, first-aid steps can easily be taken.
The National Health Service (NHS) says that if the symptoms become serous, it is best to call for emergency. Otherwise, you can treat the sting yourself.
A person stung by a Portuguese man-of-war has to remain still to avoid further release of toxins into the body. In treating the sting, the remaining tentacles should be removed from the skin, so pain can be more easily managed. Wearing gloves while removing the remaining tentacles is a better option. A clean stick or tweezers will do the job. A razor blade, credit card or shell can also remove small poisonous sacs or nematocysts that can get stuck to the skin.
When the tentacles have been taken out, wash the affected area with seawater and to ease the pain, soak in lukewarm water. Painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol can also help. If the pain remains after around 15-20 minutes, however, seeking immediate medical assistance is the best way to go.
Vinegar, baking soda, alcohol and urinating are big no-no's in the treatment of pain caused by the sting of Portuguese men-of-war.
Photo: Thomas Quine | Flickr
