Tassie authorities are warning beachgoers to be on the lookout for bluebottle jellyfish as large numbers of them wash up on beaches in the state’s southeast.
Bluebottle sightings have been reported at Bicheno, Carlton Park, and Kingston beaches over the last week, a common occurrence for this time of the year.
Bluebottle jellyfish, also known as Portuguese man-of-war, are marine invertebrates named after their distinctive blue or purple color and the bottle-like shape of their float, which is used to move them through the water.
The severity of a bluebottle jellyfish sting depends on the amount of venom injected, as well as the sensitivity of the person stung.
Symptoms of a bluebottle jellyfish sting may include intense pain, redness, itching, and swelling at the site of the sting. In severe cases, a person may also experience nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and a rapid or irregular pulse.
If you are stung by a bluebottle jellyfish, Surf Life Saving Tasmania recommends you rinse the affected area with sea water, remove any tentacles that may be stuck to your skin as quickly as possible, and then apply hot water for 20 minutes.
This can be done by gently pouring salt water over the affected area and using a credit card or other flat object to scrape off the tentacles.
If the pain is severe or if you develop any unusual symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
