What happens when you're stung

If you or someone else has been stungin thesea, get help from someone with first aid training, such as a lifeguard.

Further medical assistance may be needed if the symptoms of a sting are severe andvery painful.

Some people may have a severeallergic reaction after being stung, known as Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock, which can sometimes be fatal.

Anyadverse allergic reaction should be treated as a medical emergency. Dial 999 to request an ambulance.

Weever fish

A sting from a weever fish can cause:

• severe pain for the first two hours
• itching
• swelling (inflammation)
• numbness
• nausea or vomiting
• headache
• abdominal cramps
• tremors(shaking)

Amore serious reaction to a weever fish sting may lead to:

• an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
• shortness of breath
• weakness
• paralysis
• seizures (fits)
• a drop in blood pressure
• episodes of unconsciousness

Although weever fish stings are usually very painful, serious reactions are uncommon and deaths are extremely rare.

Seekimmediate medical assistance if you or someone else has been stung by a weever fish. Any spines left in the foot need to be carefully removed.

Stingrays

A stingray'ssharp barb can leave a jagged cut or puncture wound in the flesh, and the venom from thesting cancause pain and swelling.

Other symptoms may include:

• skin irritation
• sweating
• low blood pressure (hypotension)
• feeling faint, weak and dizzy
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• headache
• shortness of breath
• seizures (fits)
• muscle cramps

Deaths from stingray injuries are rare, butthere have been cases where people have died following a puncture wound to the heart or abdomen.

Always seek immediate medical assistance if you or someone elsehas been stung by a stingray. Alert a lifeguard, if there is one nearby, before dialling 999 to request an ambulance.

A stingray sting should be dealt with at the accident andemergency (A&E) department of the nearest hospital.

Find your nearest A&E department .

Sea urchins

A puncture wound from a sea urchin can be painful and cause inflammation and redness around the affected area.

Ifyou have puncture wounds in several places, you may experience more severe symptoms, including:

• tiredness
• weakness
• aching muscles
• shock
• respiratory failure
• paralysis

In rare cases, peoplehave died fromsevere sea urchin injuries.

Get immediate medical attention if your symptoms include:

• breathing problems
• chest pain
• signs of infection, such as increased redness and swelling in the affected area and a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above

Medical assistance is also required if there are spines in or near a joint, as they may need to be surgically removed.

Jellyfish

If you're stung by a jellyfish, you'll feel severe pain immediately and develop an itchy rash and welts (raised, circular areas on the skin) where the tentacles have touched you.

Other symptoms may include:

• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• muscle spasms
• numbness or tingling
• swollen lymph nodes (the small nodules found in several places around the body, including the groin and armpit)

In rare cases, a serious reaction to a jellyfish sting can result in breathing difficulties, coma or evendeath.

If you or someone elsehas been stung by a jellyfish, seek immediate medical assistance by dialling 999 if you or they:

• are having problems breathing or swallowing
• have chest pain
• have severe pain at the site of the sting
• are very young or elderly
• have a sting that affects a large area of the body
• have been stung on the face or genitals
• have severe pain, itchiness or swelling around the sting

Portuguese man-of-war

APortuguese man-of-war sting may cause a red line with small, white lesions. In severe cases, blisters and welts (raised, circular areas of skin) may also appear.

A sting from a Portuguese man-of-war can sometimes cause a severe allergic reaction, althoughdeaths as a result of a sting are rare.

After a sting, seekmedical attention if:

• the pain is severe and lasts more than an hour
• the rash gets worse
• there are signs of infection, such as increased redness and swelling in the affected area and a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above

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