The Department of Health recommends not to get in contact with the jellyfish on the shore because they can still cause stings.

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Also remember that in most cases stings have mild symptoms and are only serious in very exceptional cases.

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In view of the weeks in which the number of bathers increases on the coasts of the Region of Murcia, the Regional Ministry of Health has recommended not to come into contact with the specimens that have been washed up on the beach, as they could still release poisonous stingers when touched, and recalls that the presence of the most dangerous species to human contact is very rare on our coasts.

In this regard, it warns that jellyfish stings are generally annoying and somewhat painful, but only exceptionally serious. The most common symptoms of this type of accident are itchy skin and reddening of the area, which may be accompanied by tingling, stinging pain, inflammation and marks from the animal’s tentacle, according to sources from the regional government in a press release.

Exceptionally, other symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems or spasms may occur, which can even appear several hours after the sting.

«The severity of the reaction depends, among other factors, on individual susceptibility and the species of jellyfish,» explained the director general of Public Health, José Jesús Guillén. In these cases, he reminded that the emergency services should be contacted immediately, as «jellyfish stings can also cause disorientation, respiratory problems and even heart problems», said Guillén.

In this regard, the Regional Ministry recalls that the presence of dangerous species is exceptional on the coasts of the Region of Murcia.

APPLY COLD, BUT NOT DIRECT ICE
Although it is commonly recommended to apply fresh water to clean the wound resulting from contact with a jellyfish, this is something that should be avoided, as it could break the stinging cells and cause the opposite effect. It is important to apply cold to the affected area for at least 15 minutes without applying ice directly to the skin.

It is also recommended to clean the affected area with salt water or saline solution to alleviate the effects of the sting of this animal and to remove with tweezers the remains of tentacles that have remained attached to the skin.

Jellyfish use their venom to protect themselves and expel it through microscopic stingers in their tentacles.