Advice issued as warm waters attract jellyfish to Conwy beaches

Conwy County Borough Council is advising people visiting beaches in the county this summer to keep a look out for jellyfish when going in the sea.

Every summer, jellyfish visit the region’s shores and because of the rise in temperature of the sea, jellyfish have been found on some of the beaches in the county.

Jellyfish are marine animals. Venom from their sting can kill a small marine animal but humans tend to experience a rash, redness or stinging pain, in extreme cases raised welts, and muscle spasms. The severity depends on the type of jellyfish.

The council said:  “If you do swim in the sea during the summertime, please be aware that your skin may become irritated even if there is no direct contact with a jellyfish or from jellyfish that have been washed on to the shore (not in the water).”

The NHS publishes the following tips for treating a jellyfish sting:

Do:

• rinse the affected area with seawater (not fresh water)
• remove any spines from the skin using tweezers or the edge of a bank card
• soak the area in very warm water (as hot as can be tolerated) for at least 30 minutes – use hot flannels or towels if you can soak it
• take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen

Don’t:

• use vinegar
• urinate on the sting
• apply ice or a cold pack
• touch any spines with your bare hands
• cover or close the wound

Main image: “Jellyfish Beach” by edenpictures is licensed under CC BY 2.0.