Jellyfish

Jellyfish are marine animals that live in open waters. They swim very slowly and in spring and summer they are dragged towards the coasts by water currents.

If jellyfish are touched, even though they are dead, they inject a substance into the skin that produces a burning sensation. Contact with their tentacles or other parts of their body can cause injury, both in the water and on the sand.

Important

  • Avoid areas where waves break because this is where the remains of jellyfish accumulate.
  • Do not swim if there are jellyfish in the water or if you are warned not to do so by the beach life guards.
  • Jellyfish must never be touched, nor taken from the water, even though they are dead.
  • The sensation of a sting from a jellyfish is similar to a burn, and a rash appears on the skin which can reappear several times.
  • Contact with the tentacles of a jellyfish may cause local and general lesions: skin rashes, redness, itchy inflammation or intense pain.
  • Sun creams, bathing suits and everything that covers the skin protects us from contact with jellyfish.
  • People with a history of allergies, those who suffer from asthma or cardiovascular diseases, those who have already been stung by a jellyfish and children are the most sensitive to the toxins of these animals.

What must we do if we are stung?

  • Get out of the water.
  • Do not scratch or rub the affected area with the hands or with towels or other materials.
  • Peel off the skin (with tweezers or gloves) and the remains of the tentacles, if they are visible.
  • Clean the wound with salt water. Never use fresh water, as this activates the cells and increases the quantity of poison which has been injected by the jellyfish.
  • Fill a plastic bag with ice and apply it as soon as possible to the affected area, for 5 minutes, (never put ice directly on the skin). If the burning sensation does not go away, apply the bag of ice for another 5 minutes.
  • In order to avoid the wound from becoming infected, it is advisable to apply an antiseptic (iodized alcohol) 3-4 times a day for two or three days.
  • Thse measures should be applied as soon as possible. If the pain continues or there is trembling, nausea, dizziness or intense pain, go immediately to a health centre.

If there is a life guard post on the beach, it is advisable to go there immediately to get help.

Information taken from a pamphlet published by the Generalitat de Catalunya Health Department, with advice from the Institute of Sea Sciences of the CSIC and the Clinical Toxicology Department at the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.

This pamphlet can be found in all health and information centres on the Barcelona beaches.