As with every summer, jellyfish are back plaguing different beaches of Bouches-du-Rhone, Var, and the Alpes Maritimes region. They are expected in great numbers this year in Monegasque waters. Therefore, it is essential to pay particular attention to where you swim and know how to treat yourself in case of a sting…
This is one party that could spoil the summer for anyone hoping to cool off in the water: the renewal of swarms of jellyfish on the coasts of many Mediterranean beaches, their presence due in part to the spikes in water temperature, which attracts them. Many sting incidents have already been reported, with a red flag hoisted on the archipelago of Friuli, Marseille. On the side of the Alpes-Maritimes, it is the Principality that is most strongly targeted by jellyfish, as fascinating as they are unpleasant. If a jelly sting is particularly painful (and accompanied by redness, itching or edema), it can be dangerous for the most fragile among us, including children and those who are allergic to them (as many find out through the experience itself).
Safety measures in case of a sting
Rule number 1: do not panic, despite the pain, especially if you are out at sea. Once on the sand, rinse with seawater (not with fresh water), remove the filaments with forceps. Scrub (especially not with the fingers, at the risk of contaminating them as well), cover the quilted surface with sand and allow to dry. Once the pain has subsided, the sand can be gently removed and rinsed in the seawater. Or it can be used to heat seawater in a bucket and rinse with water, the heat helping to neutralize the venom. You can then apply an antiseptic (without alcohol) and possibly take paracetamol if the pain is still too intense. Please take care when you go swimming this summer!
*Article originally published on the French edition of the Monaco Tribune.