Portuguese Man of War

[airmitch]

I've been diving for over 20 years, and until this incident, haven't had a sea creature problem.

So here is the story. I was kayaking in a salt water creek in North Carolina. Kayak tipped, I go into the water- no big deal. When I got out, I noticed a big red welt on my thigh. Within minutes it started to burn like hell. The island I was on had no MD, but did have a paramedic. He took one look at it and declared a Portuguese Man of War sting. Said that they wash up with storm activity and get pulled into the creeks with tidal flow. Had me rinse it in vinegar and "shave" it with a knife to remove remaining nemocysts. By that night I had a 103deg fever. Trip to ER, antibiotics, antihistamines, and a miserable three days of unbelievable itching and burning of extremities followed.

Four months later, and the welt is starting to dissipate, and the burning is dieing down.

The moral of the story-

Even dead jellyfish can sting

You don't have to be diving in the ocean to get stung

The sooner you properly treat a suspected sting, the less toxin enters your body. If you suspect that you've been stung, don't be a hero, get treatment

[Charles R]

well Said!

[Osprey]

I have heard AWFUL stories about jellies, I'm really glad you're okay!!

[coralcrazed]

it might be helpful for everyone to know what these things look like in and on top of the water. its very pretty and you know what they say about things that look pretty.... th nicer it looks, the more colors it has... the deadlier and more poisonous it is. be careful and know your critters.

http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/portjell.gif
http://www.aboututila.com/Photos/Ada...n-o-War-01.JPG
http://evandunn.com/db4/00322/evandu...n-o-War-02.JPG

Thank you for making us aware of what may wash up in estuaries and rivers...

[sudnit5]

Glad to hear that you are doing better.

[CrzyJay456]

wow. 4 months? that is horrible. i got stung by one on my arm, and it was gone within about 2 weeks. mine was wrapped around my forearm... and i put some vodka on it (no vinegar near by) and then some cream a few hours later for a couple of days.
no scar no nothing...

[CrzyJay456]

Originally Posted by coralcrazed

it might be helpful for everyone to know what these things look like in and on top of the water. its very pretty and you know what they say about things that look pretty.... th nicer it looks, the more colors it has... the deadlier and more poisonous it is. be careful and know your critters.

http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/portjell.gif
http://www.aboututila.com/Photos/Ada...n-o-War-01.JPG
http://evandunn.com/db4/00322/evandu...n-o-War-02.JPG

Thank you for making us aware of what may wash up in estuaries and rivers...

some of those pictures are just scary looking. (the last 2 actually)
any time I've been diving, i have only seen the pink parachute looking jellyfish, no tentacles.

[kingfish]

Glad you are on the mend...doesnt sound like much fun at all.
I have seen these things washed up on the beach at times....I didnt realise the tenticles could still sting after they were detached.

It says here that alcohol makes the sting worse.
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/bluebottle.htm

Jas.

[coralcrazed]

for those of us who have kids... does this look like a cool float to play with???
http://www.aboututila.com/Photos/Ada...n-o-War-01.JPG
well these things wash up on beaches all of the time so watch the little ones.
http://www.criticalmiami.com/images/402.jpg
http://novikov.com/foto/tt/030402-25.jpg
http://www.princeton.edu/~jhalderm/p.../man-o-war.jpg
http://www.beachhunter.net/images/th..._cocoa_bch.jpg

man this one almost makes me want to go over and play with it...
http://www.geoffschultz.org/Reef/Cre...316_144410.JPG

[kingfish]

What gets me is the length of the tenticles that trail it.
And the way they can still sting if they are detached.


Jas.