52 in 2016 - #13 - Danger
This is my photo for the 52 in 2016 Challenge - #13 - Danger. We went for a drive to the Northern Beaches last week and when we were at Narrabeen I spotted so many piles of Bluebottles laying on the sand. I am sure it wouldn't be safe to swim at the beaches when these are about.
The Blue Bottle, or Pacific Man o' War, is a common, if unwelcome, summer visitor to Sydney beaches. At the mercy of the wind, they are sometimes blown into shallow waters, and often wash up onto the beach.
Bluebottles can deliver a painful sting even when washed up dead on the beach.
Bluebottle tentacles will cause a sharp, painful sting if they are touched, which is aggravated by rubbing the area. Intense pain may be felt from a few minutes to many hours and develops into a dull ache which then spreads to surrounding joints. The affected area develops a red line with small white lesions. In severe cases blisters and weals looking like a string of beads may appear. Victims may exhibit signs of shock. Children, asthmatics and people with allergies can be badly affected and many cases of respiratory distress have been reported in Australia.
If stinging occurs, leave the water immediately. If any part of the animal is still sticking to the skin, it should be gently lifted off with tweezers or a gloved hand. This will minimise the firing of more stinging capsules. Do not rub the area with wet sand or towel, or wash with alcohol as this will only make it worse. For milder stings, ice packs or local anaesthetic sprays are often effective in reducing pain. In extreme cases resuscitation may be needed and medical attention should be sought.
Bluebottles are not always obvious in the water. Tentacles may break away from the colony in the surf and inflict stings just as potent as those from attached tentacles. Even dead specimens stranded on the beach can still cause stings. To avoid being stung do not touch these animals with bare skin and do not enter the water if they are present.
52 in 2016 - #13 - Danger
This is my photo for the 52 in 2016 Challenge - #13 - Danger. We went for a drive to the Northern Beaches last week and when we were at Narrabeen I spotted so many piles of Bluebottles laying on the sand. I am sure it wouldn't be safe to swim at the beaches when these are about.
The Blue Bottle, or Pacific Man o' War, is a common, if unwelcome, summer visitor to Sydney beaches. At the mercy of the wind, they are sometimes blown into shallow waters, and often wash up onto the beach.
Bluebottles can deliver a painful sting even when washed up dead on the beach.
Bluebottle tentacles will cause a sharp, painful sting if they are touched, which is aggravated by rubbing the area. Intense pain may be felt from a few minutes to many hours and develops into a dull ache which then spreads to surrounding joints. The affected area develops a red line with small white lesions. In severe cases blisters and weals looking like a string of beads may appear. Victims may exhibit signs of shock. Children, asthmatics and people with allergies can be badly affected and many cases of respiratory distress have been reported in Australia.
If stinging occurs, leave the water immediately. If any part of the animal is still sticking to the skin, it should be gently lifted off with tweezers or a gloved hand. This will minimise the firing of more stinging capsules. Do not rub the area with wet sand or towel, or wash with alcohol as this will only make it worse. For milder stings, ice packs or local anaesthetic sprays are often effective in reducing pain. In extreme cases resuscitation may be needed and medical attention should be sought.
Bluebottles are not always obvious in the water. Tentacles may break away from the colony in the surf and inflict stings just as potent as those from attached tentacles. Even dead specimens stranded on the beach can still cause stings. To avoid being stung do not touch these animals with bare skin and do not enter the water if they are present.