4lex

Seems like a pretty grand title for what is effectively just a 'Tiny Blue Bag O'Wind'. Found out why though, on Saturday on the central coast.

About 50m out with the bodyboard, I'd just wiped out trying to kneel on the damned thing, and evidently got washed through a shoal(?) of the little bastards. If there isn't an accepted collective pronoun for a group of these pointless little sods I'd like to suggest 'arsehole'.

Anyway, got one wrapped around my left forearm, one round my right knee, two round the waist - incredibly finding the gap between rashy and boardies, and various random stinging cells all over me. It's a bit like being attacked with poison darts from all directions; or at least what I'd imagine that to feel like!

After the initial panic scraping the damned things off (and hence stinging the hands), I struck out for shore, catching my best wave of the day, staggered out of the water ripping off the sting-infested clothing to the surprise and amusement of other beachgoers, and wandered what the hell to do next.

Staggered stiffly up the beach (wrapped in a towel by now) and collapsed in the car while the mrs went to raid the nearest chip shop for their vinegar. Felt pretty ropey for the next half hour, vision went a bit blurred and felt really cold, but I suspect that's mostly to do with shock. Symptons seemed to subside within an hour though, so we were on our way.

I noticed this morning, two days later, that the affected areas have quite a serious rash, which itches like hell. I've necked a couple of antihistamines and plastered the area in some cream the chemist whipped up which is causing an improvement, but I just thought I'd post up the warning for anyone who's not familiar with these little blighters.

Not sure if I have more of an allergic reaction to these things than most, but I for one will not be going in the water while these things are about without a full skin suit from now on!

Also, if anyone has tips on how to get rid of the rash left by it a couple of days later, they'd be gratefully received!

Cheers,
Alex

markeh

Hiya Alex,

sounds painfull, any chance of a pic of the rash to see what you are dealing with?

Bye
Mark

4lex

Well it was, no more than irritating now.

Er, no.

markeh

Alex,
I guess the vinegar helped then.
Glad to hear it is calming down.

Bye
Mark

Laurie1st

Oh my! I am glad you're all right.

4lex

Cheers. Apparently the treatment of choice of the NSW SLSC is a hot-as-you-can-bear shower, but vinegar seemed pretty effective in neutralising the remaining stingy bits. I wonder if a barrier cream like e45 might be any use against them? Can't really wear a full face mask as well....

bondipom

There are 2 types of blue bottles. One type gives stings that can be deactivated by vinegar, the other makes the stings worse. The types of blue bottles are indistinguishable therefore vinegar should not be applied. This is what I was taught on a first aid course. The hot shower is recommended to minimise the effects of the poison.

CasG

Sounds scary and painful.......
Glad you are better now

I was on Williamstown beach the other evening and there were lots of blue coloured jellyfish lying about on the shore - about the size of a big dinner plate - any idea what they were and whether likely to be dangerous?

Cas

sel

Portuguese Man-o-war or Bluebottle (Physalia sp.)


Physalia physalis
Portuguese man-o-war
(Photo ?)

The Portuguese man-o-war or bluebottle, (Physalia sp.), is well known throughout Australian waters (and both the pacific and Atlantic oceans) for causing painful stings. No fatalities have been confirmed in Australia. The float measures 2-15 cm. The main or fishing tentacle may be up to 10m long and is responsible for most of the stings. The larger Atlantic specimens probably represent more of a threat to human life. The venom contains lethal and haemolytic components and has been shown to produce nerve conduction disturbances, flaccid paralysis and smooth muscle contraction in experimental animals. In human envenomation, pain is the most prominent feature, along with localized skin lesions with a "string of beads" appearance; discrete weals surrounded by erythema. Systemic symptoms are uncommon but may include headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and occasionally collapse. First aid consists of removal of the tentacles, preferably with forceps. Vinegar is not recommended. Analgesia may be required, although most stings respond to ice packs and/or topical anaesthetic agents.

http://www.avru.unimelb.edu.au/avruw...i.htm#Physalia

It usually best to know what to do before the event

Hope your ok now, have a few of these

4lex

Thanks all. Normally have some ice down at the beach, and will make a point of having vinegar too, though in light of the above posts I'll test it out on a small area before dousing myself in it, if I'm caught out again!

ProofReader

Vinegar used to be used by the Queensland Surf Lifesavers but has been dropped in favour of ice. Recommendation is stay out of the water if bluebottles are about! However, if stung, put icepacks on the affected area/s.

There's your excuse for keeping an esky full of beer on ice nearby!!

moneypenny20

Do they stay smallish in Aus waters?

When we were in Tunisia, there was an enormouse b*gger that killed a local out fishing. Another fisherman caught it and we saw it on the beach - put the fear of god up us and it was dead by that time.

elksa

Would a full body wetsuit have protected you from the stings on your body or can they sting you through the suit?

JayDeee

I dont think they can sting through a wet suit, if you go out in theqld waters during stinger season they give you a stinger suit, very fetching item of clothing if you want to look like a beached whale but it is only as thin as a normal swimming costume

HiddenPaw

Hi Cas
There wa a story about this in the Herald Sun last week. I cant remember what species they were but they had made people quite poorly - apparently a school trip had gone to the beach at Chelsea and several pupils had sickness from the jellyfish. I'll try and find the article.