[Moorf]

Was down the beach the other day and the outgoing tide had littered the beach with masses of little blue jellyfish...

Are these stinging types? Common off NZ shores? Should I be worried swimming if these critters are around?? I notice they had quite long tentacle thingys...

They aren't on the beach everyday so perhaps this was a freak of nature type event?

[veronica]

We asked a group of surfers about them and the concensus was that they do sting. the antidote for the sting is apparently to pee on the site as the acid neutralises it. They are very little (if they are the same ones we have been seeing) so should imagine that the sting wouldn't be too severe, and like you noticed they only appear to wash up the beach on odd occasions. Come on Beach Kiwi with a name like that you should be able to give the full storey on them.

[Timbo]

I am not an authority (on anything really), but my guess would be yes they do sting. How severe the sting is likely to be is another story. I dont think they are likely to be Box jellys like the Queensland variety, which can kill in the extreme. Water is very likely to be too cold for them.
I dont like the sound of your antidote Veronica. How would you go about administering that in public, and on, for instance, your upper back.. :laugh
Vinigar is pretty much the standard to neutralise jelly stings wherever you are.

[clg]

I don't know which ones you are talking about but just because they are small does not mean small stings! I have had some very painful stings/rashes before from little sea beasties that can barely be seen.

Chris

[Timbo]

clq. A guy I know of in Nz got a jelly fish stuck inside his wetsuit. It managed to position itself in the cleft of his buttocks. It really doesnt bare thinking about does it?

[veronica]

Trouble with vinigar Timbo is that its not something most of us take to the beach.

[Timbo]

You mean you dont go prepared with the condiments to go with your scollies and chips?
We noticed in Queensland that every beach had bottle stations dotted along the way. They were a red and yellow post, 3ft high, with a bottle of vinigar strapped to them. Pretty essential between november and march by all accounts.

[Timbo]

I just found this pretty definative guide for you Moorf, just in case:




Jellyfish stings may result in the following symptoms and signs:
Burning discomfort or pain in the region of contact with the tentacle.
Raised red lesions (papules) or welts in lines consistent with contact with the tentacle.
The raised red lesions may develop into fluid-filled lesions or blisters (vesicles), and may heal with scarring and increased skin pigmentation.
Most stings cause localised lesions only. Occasionally, however, especially with extensive or repeated exposures, an allergic reaction produces systemic symptoms (reactions elsewhere in the body, not only in the region of the sting). Systemic reactions may include: widespread itching, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, muscle weakness and spasms, irregular heart rate (arrhythmias), excessive tearing and runny nose, painful breathing (pleuritic chest pain), joint pain, stumbling gait.
In some people, jellyfish venom can produce a life-threatening allergic reaction, called anaphylactic shock, which requires emergency treatment. In anaphylactic shock, the affected person releases a large amount of a substance called histamine in response to a toxin or a substance to which they are allergic. This results in swelling of the body tissues, constriction of the small airways in the lungs, collapse of the blood circulation, heart failure and sometimes death.

Treatment of jellyfish stings
Treatment consists of preventing further envenomation (stinging), pain relief and management of any complications.
If someone gets stung, take the following steps as quickly as possible:

Rinse the affected area of skin with sea water to wash away adherent nematocysts, immediately before attempting to remove the tentacles. Tentacles that are disturbed may release additional nematocysts, causing further irritation. The nematocysts can continue to sting and deliver toxin, even if the jellyfish is dead or only a piece of tentacle is present. Do not rinse with fresh water because this can cause the nematocysts to swell and discharge. Also avoid household ammonia. Don't rub the area as this can also activate the nematocysts.
While continuing to rinse, gently remove any adherent tentacles. Lift the tentacles off the skin -- rubbing or dragging them off can cause further stinging. Protect your hands from getting stung by using gloves, tweezers, a stick or some other object to remove the tentacles. Remember not to rub your eyes if you've just handled the tentacles.
The nematocysts can be deactivated with various common substances such as vinegar and meat tenderiser. The mild acid in vinegar (or dilute acetic acid 5-10%) "fixes" or deactivates the nematocysts so they will not be triggered and release toxin.
Meat tenderiser is another excellent source of relief from stings. It should be applied as a paste mixed with a little water to the affected area of skin. The meat tenderizer contains papain, an enzyme from papaya or pineapple that breaks down the proteins of the jellyfish toxin and destroys it. This should provide relief from the stinging within 15 minutes.

Alcohol (including methylated spirits or liquor) and even human urine are other substances that can be used to deactivate nematocysts.

Another method to remove any remaining nematocysts is to dust the affected area of skin with baking-powder (sodium bicarbonate) or talc. Powders help stabilise the nematocyst by drying the cells out. You can also try spraying the skin with shaving cream to coat the area. The nematocysts will stick to the cream, which you can then carefully scrape off with the dull edge of a butter knife.

Pain from jellyfish stings can be treated with topical anaesthetics (applied at the site of the sting) such as lidocaine and benzocaine, which are sometimes found in sunburn preparations. A small percentage of people are allergic to these ingredients, however. Also try immersing the affected part in water as hot as can be tolerated for 30 minutes to aid destruction of the toxin, with a pinch of Epsom salts or table salt to prevent any nematocysts from being triggered. Some authorities claim that applying ice packs for about 10-15 minutes can provide relief.
Pain may sometimes be severe enough to warrant treatment with morphine in adults or pethidine in children.

If you have received multiple stings but are not in anaphylactic shock, an antihistamine may reduce some of the body's reactions. Aloe gel or witch hazel applied topically may also provide some relief from inflammation or itchiness, as will topical hydrocortisone cream.
Treating complications
Oral antihistamines and corticosteroids are used to treat more serious allergic reactions. Anaphylactic shock may also be treated with adrenaline, and artificial respiration.
Your doctor may administer intravenous calcium gluconate to relieve muscular cramps.

Secondary bacterial infection at the site of the sting may occur, especially if vesicles form, for which your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

What is the outcome of jellyfish stings?
Most jellyfish stings resolve spontaneously or require only minor forms of treatment, and do not cause lasting damage. Systemic symptoms usually abate within a few hours. However, stings can occasionally be life-threatening, particularly for children and the elderly. Severe anaphylactic (allergic) reactions causing cardiovascular, respiratory and renal failure are rare but the risk intensifies with repeated exposures to the venom, especially in people who are atopic (prone to allergic responses).
Skin reactions may recur one to two weeks later and may require further local treatment.

Can jellyfish stings be prevented?
Lightweight protective clothing, such as a wetsuit or a layer of petroleum jelly spread on bare skin can help protect you against stings when swimming.
Before venturing into the water, check with other swimmers or lifeguards to find out if jellyfish are a problem in a particular area or season.

When to call the doctor
Seek medical attention if you have been stung by a jellyfish and:
You begin to develop persistent muscle spasms
Secondary bacterial infection develops
You have difficulty breathing, or show any other signs that you may be going into anaphylactic shock. Seek emergency medical attention.
Reviewed by Prof Don du Toit (M.B.Ch.B) (D.Phil.) (Ph.D) (FCS) (

[kiwidebs]

In short - these are Bluebottles. Very common in NZ. They sting and it hurts alot. Don't try to swim under them cos the tentacles (sp?) go way down!! Basically avoid swimming if there are Bluebottle Jellyfish in the water.

Hope this helps
Debs

PS I've never been stung personally, but a couple of friends have and they say it is agony - but not deadly like Box Jellyfish/Portugeuse Man of War in Aust.

[Diny]

I agree with the comment about just because it's not a big jellyfish it won't have a very big sting.

When we lived in Australia (Darwin) you could only swim in the sea during the dry season. During the wet season the jellyfish come right into the shore and the river mouths and beach creeks - we used to see plenty of them washed up on the sand. They're not at all big but do have tenticles which seem to go on forever.

The real dangerous ones that prevented us going in the sea were the box jelly fish - also known as the sea wasp. It was considered safe to swim from 1st May onwards - as this was the first official day of the dry season. I use to leave it a week or so past that date though 'cos in my opinion there aren't too many box jellyfish with calendars.

Diny

[Moorf]

:eek Oh My... the beach was almost blue with them the other day!! Although there was a distinct lack of people in the sea and it looked like they were washed up as lots of wood and debris on beach!

BUT.. eek.. glad I asked - thanks for all the great info folks.

[Beach Kiwi]

Come on Beach Kiwi with a name like that you should be able to give the full storey on them.

kiwidebs beat me to it! :nice1

Anyway, here's a page on them (http://www.australianfauna.com/bluebottlejellyfish.php). It's an Ozzie site, but it applies to NZ as well. :cool

[Moorf]

OMG it's also known as the Portugese Man o'War.. now that name I know :eek

Glad I steered Summer through them the other day as they littered the beach!!

[Timbo]

A golden day that not even sharks could spoil

24.01.05
by Bridget Carter and Juliet Rowan


The glorious sunshine in Auckland yesterday encouraged thousands of people to pack the beaches and enjoy what was some of this year's best weather.

Those in the water at Long Bay in the afternoon were oblivious to the fact that nearly 200 hammerhead sharks were swimming about 50m away.

Helicopter crewman Mark Cannell said the sharks, some up to 2.5m long, were at the bay's southern end.

Surf Life Saving Northern Region's communications co-ordinator Mark Godwin said the swimmers were not warned because no life-savers were patrolling the beach.

Auckland University marine scientist Professor John Montgomery said large hammerheads could be dangerous.

"Hammerheads do not have a very bad reputation but there are a few cases of attacks."

Despite the crowds, Surf Life Saving Northern Region and the Coastguard reported no major problems for swimmers or boaties, other than boat breakdowns, at other beaches around Auckland.

The maximum temperature yesterday was 23C, but MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt warned that the sunny weather would go as a low moved across the country this week.

"The easterlies are going to come and get us," he said.

"A low seems to be forming now near Fiji and that low is likely to be moving towards New Zealand."

Mr McDavitt said the low would bring rain for Thursday and Friday.

"There might be some left over for Anniversary Weekend as well."

[Moorf]

There was an aerial view of the hammerheads on the news.. !!

I think I need my own helicopter so that I can check out the beaches and offshore before I don my cozzie!!

:?