Lifeguards in Phuket have warned beachgoers of the presence of poisonous jellyfish at some of the island’s beaches. The Portuguese man o’ war (actually not a jellyfish but a species of siphonophore) found in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and lifeguards say they have found many on the island’s beaches during the current monsoon season.

 

The Portuguese man o’ war is also known as a ‘bluebottle’ or ‘stinger’ It should not be confused with the box jellyfish which is a much more dangerous species and almost unknown around the Andaman Sea.

 

The authorities say anyone afraid of being stung by the marine creatures should avoid swimming in the sea. Anyone who is stung should use seawater and vinegar to wash the area and CAREFULLY remove the jellyfish tentacle. This should be followed by the application of warm-to-hot water over the area for 20 minutes, which should reduce the pain.

 

By Peter Roche

Top photo caption: PHOTO: Flickr/Sue Milks

 

Full Story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/warnings-over-poisonous-jellyfish-at-phuket-beaches/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-06-08

 

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Sorry to hear about anyone suffering and its good that Phuket life savers are warning would-be swimmers.

About 3 years ago the locals at Koh Samui ?? took down beach warning signs for tourists about the deadly box jellyfish there and an Australian tourist died.

Announce them as an expensive food delicacy and the beaches and nearby sea will be rid on them in 24 hours

If it's poisonous, just don't eat it.

 

(it's venomous)

On 6/9/2023 at 9:18 AM, Regyai said:

If it's poisonous, just don't eat it.

 

(it's venomous)

Once it's properly prepared and cooked, no poisonous, very healthy and lots of protein, they have it BBQ on sticks in Krabi night market, I have seen boats fishing for them there, he told me they get 80 baht for a kilo of them (a few years ago), and I've seen some really large ones there....! 

The (missed) point I made is that they are VENOMOUS not poisonous as (mis)reported

The Phuket Aquarium has an incredible number of live jellyfish on display.

 

It's certainly worth a morning or  afternoon visit.

The OP says that put vinegar on it.

 

Actually vinegar can cause more venom to be released and it can increase the pain.

 

If you have identified the culprit as man-o-war, I suggest hot water not exceeding 45C is the best treatment.

 

Bluebottle-stings.aspx (racgp.org.au)

23 hours ago, LosLobo said:

The OP says that put vinegar on it.

 

Actually vinegar can cause more venom to be released and it can increase the pain.

 

If you have identified the culprit as man-o-war, I suggest hot water not exceeding 45C is the best treatment.

 

Bluebottle-stings.aspx (racgp.org.au)

I think that needs to be clarified, sounds like vinegar is recommended for some jellyfish stings, but not for these blue man o war....! 

 

Although it's really hard to see what stung you, I've been stung a few times with jellyfish, but I didn't want to stick around to see what it was..., swim back quickly and lifeguard poured on vinegar... , fortunately for me they were not bad. I've seen kite surfers in Hua Hin some years ago with nasty scars, they said might never fully disappear...!!! ????