Why UK beaches have more jellyfish than ever – and how to spot the most dangerous ones
FISH IT OUT Why UK beaches have more jellyfish than ever – and how to spot the most dangerous ones
MORE jellyfish than ever are being spotted in waters around the UK, according to experts.
In recent months, 1,000s of jellyfish have been spotted on beaches across the country.
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More jellyfish could hit UK shores
Credit: Alamy
Genevieve Watson, Biologist at KISTERS explained: "Rising sea temperatures are having a direct impact on marine life in all kinds of ways.
"Warmer waters can expand the habitat of marine species such as stingrays and jellyfish, allowing them to thrive in our coastal regions - areas that would have previously been too cold for them.
"Few of us will look back to our childhood and remember ever seeing a stingray or jellyfish in the water at the seaside, but actually, for our children and grandchildren, this could be an increasingly common sight."
Some of the most dangerous ones are the Portuguese Man o' War, which are spotted by their blue, balloon-like floating tentacles which deliver a painful sting.
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Another jellyfish with a strong sting is the Mauve Stinger which has four frilled arms and eight tentacles, often purple in colour.
Otherwise there is also the yellow Compass Jellyfish with brown markings that look like a compass.
Lions Mane Jellyfish, with long tentacles in yellow, orange or brown, are also painful if stung.
While less painful, the translucent Moon Jellyfish (with purple rings) and Barrel Jellyfish in pale pink, blue or white even have mild stings.
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Thankfully, none of the jellyfish are deadly that are at risk of being spotted in the UK.
Only those with allergies or anyone who doesn't get the wound treated are likely to suffer more serious effects.
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What to do if stung by a jellyfish
Cornish Watersports issued the following advice on Facebook after thousands of the stinger jellyfish washed up:
1. Rinse the affected area with seawater (not freshwater)
2. Remove any spines from the skin using tweezers or the edge of a bank card.
3. Soak the area in very warm water (as hot as can be tolerated) for at least 30 minutes – use hot flannels or towels if you cannot soak it.
4. Take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
5. Obviously, if you are prone to have an allergic reaction to any stingers go straight to A&E.
Cornwall Watersports also advice that those who get stung call NHS 111 for further advice.
Genevieve said it was even possible that stingrays could be next in the UK waters.
She added: "We've seen increased reports over recent years of jellyfish blooms on the British and Irish coast as their population has exploded due to increasingly warm waters, it's highly possible that stingrays could be next.'
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Some have already been spotted in UK waters, such as the Common Stingray.
While they currently don't come close to the shoreline, they still have a very painful sting from their tail.
Last year, thousands of purple jellyfish washed up on the Isles of Scilly.
Here's what you should do if you are ever stung by a jellyfish.
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