Summer is possibly most people’s favourite season. Imagine the pure bliss of soaking yourself in the water, and feeling the gentle breeze from the wide and wavering ocean. Going to the beach is an amazing experience, and walking on the sand feels like a heaven’s touch. That is, until the blissful moment got interrupted by the unexpected guests – bluebottles.

What Is A Bluebottle

You might have known these jellyfish-like marine creatures as ‘the Portugese man o’war’ and ‘the floating terror’. However, a bluebottle is not a jellyfish but colonial organism that’s formed by multiple polyps of the same species.

You may have encountered them if you’re visiting a beach near to the Atlantic, Indian, or Pacific Oceans. A significant characteristic of bluebottles is the long thin tentacles, of which when stung, one would experience excruciating pain from the venom.

What Happens When I Am Stung

It is important to note that the venom is rarely fatal to humans. Yet, the pain from a sting may last for hours to days depending on the individuals.

If you’re lucky, you will feel fine if your contact with the tentacles was quick. Otherwise, the venom may travel to your groin or armpit area depending on the bitten spot, and cause temporary soreness and numbness. Rashes may develop in some cases.

For my personal experience, a whole bluebottle with its tentacles caught up in a ball-shape was washed up directly onto my foot. The sharp and excruciating pain on my foot and groin area lasted for hours, and the wound was reddish and swollen for more than a week!

How To Treat A Bluebottle Sting

After getting stung, remove any visible tentacles with seawater and quickly look for a bucket of hot water. Soak the stung area in the hot water for at least half an hour. The hot water will further expand the tentacles and they’ll be removed from your skin. The pain should also be relieved gradually. There may be rashes and/or scars developed on the stung area.

Contrary to the popular urban solutions, DO NOT pour vinegar or fresh water onto the stung area, they will only worsen the pain.

If the rashes are swollen for more than a week, you should consult a doctor immediately.

How To Prevent Being Stung By A Bluebottle

People living nearby the oceans know that they should not go near to the beaches nor into the water if bluebottles are being washed up onto the beaches. If you see one, avoid any activity near the water or you’ll risk getting in contact with them.

Otherwise, some beaches do put up signboards warning visitors of bluebottles. As long as you’re away from the water/waves, you should be fine.

Unfortunately, this is possibly the only way of preventing that awful stings from bluebottles.