Purple Medusa: See the beaches with the … “invaders” – They move insidiously

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For no reason should citizens take jellyfish out to bury them in the sand, due to the fact that the problem is carried out with the possibility of someone accidentally stepping on a spinner

Holidays “company” with jellyfish in the Greek seas and this year experts predict. The population outbreak of purple jellyfish – or Pelagia noctiluca as its scientific name – in the Aegean has started since October 2020 and if the same pattern prevails we will have to deal with them for another 1.5 to 2 years.

Purple jellyfish are considered to be one of the most dangerous species of jellyfish in the Mediterranean. Their sting is painful because of the neurotoxin they have, so bathers should be very well informed about what to do in case of a sting.

The iNaturalist map records the beaches where the “purple invaders” have been seen this summer. The points, as one can observe, are too many.

Indicative: Kavouri, Akti Vouliagmeni, Lagonisi, Porto Rafti, Vravrona etc. It needs special attention, especially for young children.

This year, they have been observed in several areas of the Aegean and the Ionian, while winter swimmers reported seeing this species of jellyfish in the winter as well. However, their presence increases greatly in the summer, as its breeding conditions are favored due to the higher sea temperature. Their reproduction is also favored by climate change which raises the water temperature. At the same time, the reduction of the population of fish, which are their hunters, but also the reduction of the population of sea turtles, which is their main hunter, favors the spread of jellyfish.

The purple jellyfish is a pelagic species and lives in tropical waters. It has a maximum length of 10 cm in diameter and the length of the tentacles can reach up to 10 meters. It feeds mainly on sausages, various shellfish, placental crustaceans and fish eggs. The largest natural predators of jellyfish are the tortoise, the loggerhead tern, the tuna, the swordfish and the moonfish.

When it is young its color is orange-brown and when it grows up it takes on an intense purple-purple color. The recognition is made by its external morphological characteristics, ie what color it is, if it has dots or stripes on its bell, if its gonads are visible and what shape they have (for transparent jellyfish, such as Aurelia sp.), How are their tentacles in shape and if they have any different colors or stripes on their tentacles or bell.

Symptoms of purple jellyfish sting

Nematocysts produce on the human skin erythema, edema, burning as well as sometimes severe dermonecrotic, cardio- and neurotoxic effects, which are particularly dangerous in sensitive individuals.

Symptoms after contact – jellyfish sting can be pain like burning, often intense reddening of the skin, and in some cases the appearance of jellyfish imprint on part of your skin, nausea, drop in pressure, tachycardia, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, spasm of the bronchi, shortness of breath.

In case of systemic symptoms (rare) such as: hypotension, hoarseness, inspiratory wheezing, generalized angioedema – extensive urticarial rash, communication-consciousness disorders, vomiting, immediate transport of the patient to the hospital is mandatory.

Helpful tips

Citizens are asked to look at the weather and the winds before going to a beach. It needs to have opposite winds in the direction of the beach (eg if the beach has a view to the south, then to reduce the possibility of jellyfish the winds must come down from the north, so that the ripples it creates drive them away away from the beaches).

If there is a plankton on a beach, it is recommended that citizens avoid swimming, because jellyfish feed on plankton and their urticaria are small, transparent and can reach 10 meters in length.

If there is a serious problem with purple jellyfish on a beach then it is recommended that citizens do not risk swimming and make sure to always have some antihistamine cream with them or some cortisone ointment that can be obtained from any pharmacy.

For no reason should citizens take the jellyfish out to bury them in the sand, due to the fact that the problem is carried out with the possibility of someone accidentally stepping on a nematode, but also because in such large outbreaks as many as the citizens see and get out there are hundreds or even thousands more in the sea. This is not going to solve the problem.

Detailed care steps

1. Wash carefully with sea water, without rubbing the sting area.

2. If available, apply a mixture of seawater and baking soda (1: 1) for two minutes to stop any further secretion of venom from possible tentacle cell debris left on the skin.

3. We use a plastic bank card or something similar (and not our hands) to remove the baking soda mixture as well as any residue from our skin

4. Apply ice on the sting for 5-15 minutes. Ice, or even an iced soft drink, should be in a bag or other casing, such as a cloth or T-shirt.

5. Check if the pain has subsided, and if necessary, put ice again for another 5-15 minutes. If the pain persists, consult a doctor or pharmacist to prescribe painkillers or anti-inflammatory creams (such as 3-4% lidocaine and hydrocortisone).

6. Do not wrap the sting tightly with bandages, do not use vinegar, fresh water, alcohol or ammonia.

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