Don't get stung this summer if you're planning to go the beach, especially along the Gulf Coast. Hundreds of venomous Portuguese man o' wars have begun washing to shore.
As the name implies, Portuguese man o' wars have a sharp, brutal sting. So stay away from these dangerous creatures, please. According to experts, many often mistake them for a common variety of jellyfish. But much like jellyfish, they carry a sting but much, much worse.
Portuguese man o' wars have long tentacles and are colorful creatures. But that color hides a dangerous secret - its venom. Speaking with Wear News 3, Escambia County Water Safety Deputy Chief Alex Johnson urged people to stay away.
"The Portuguese man o' war sting is quite painful," Johnson says. "Obviously, as far as safety goes, our biggest concern is allergies. People who are allergic can then develop an allergic reaction that can even be potentially life threatening. And if you're not allergic, it's not going to be life threatening, but it can be very, very painful."
Portuguese Man O'Wars Wash to Shore
Johnson has seen the effects firsthand. He said that several dozen people have been stung by the creatures since they started washing to shore.
"Everybody reacts differently," he says. "I've seen small children take it very well and I've seen grown men right on the verge of crying on the ground."
The sting can cause a dangerous reaction and cut off someone's airway.
"The best way to address a sting is to get all the tentacles off you — with a scraper or a credit card or a gloved hand," Johnson said. "Get all the tentacles off you and then immerse it in hot water — so hot tub, hot shower, hot bath. That will help get rid of those toxins."
