5 Things To Know About Portuguese Man O' Wars Before Heading To The Jersey Shore

Portuguese man o’ wars have been washing up on New Jersey beaches this summer, causing alarm for beachgoers and local officials.

More than 24 man-of-wars washed up recently in Surf City. In late June, the Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol found a Portuguese man o’ war on the shore there, too.

But how much of a risk do these jellyfish-like creatures pose to your day at the shore?

The New Jersey Poison Information & Education System recently released information about Portuguese man o’ wars and how to respond if you see one or, even worse, are stung by one.

Here are five things you should know about Portuguese man o’ wars, according to NJ Poison experts:

What is a Portuguese man of war?

Commonly referred to as a jellyfish, it is not quite that at all. This creature is really a group of animals working together as a colony to survive in the watery environment. These creatures can be found floating in warm waters around the world. They often appear in large numbers at the same time, raising the risks of exposure for the swimmer and beachgoer alike.

Are they dangerous?

Although man-of-war stings are very painful, they rarely fatal. However, since the sting is so painful, swimmerswho are stung sometimes find it difficult to swim back to shore. Deaths have been reported from drowning. Man-o-wars tend to float on the water’s surface, making them a potential hazard to anyone in the water, especially if they appear in large numbers. They have extremely long tentacles attached to a balloon-like float. Located on their tentacles are mechanisms that will deliver a painful sting if they should come in contact with human skin. Unfortunately, their tentacles tend to wrap around the victim’s body or extremities resulting in numerous “stings.”

What are the symptoms if stung?

Stings often times leave dark, colored track marks along the skin where the tentacle made contact on the body. The pain produced by the sting can become severe at times, lasting for several hours. Those injured may also experience itching, swelling, tingling and numbness, burning or prickling sensation, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, loss of consciousness, muscle and joint problems, difficulty breathing, heart problems, weakness and dizziness, etc. This experience is extremely painful, but rarely fatal. There may be scarring left on the skin of the affected area.

What to do if you encounter a Portuguese man-of-war?

Avoid contact. Always be aware of the possible presence of these creatures in the water. If you should see any, stay as far away as you can or get out of the water. Remember, only the balloon-like float is seen above the water level. The stinging tentacles trail behind for a considerable distance, often over a yard or more. No one should ever handle a “live” or “dead” specimen. There are many reports of stings occurring from contact with man-of-wars that have washed up onto the shoreline. Even after being on the beach for days, they retain their stinging capability. Their tentacles may still release toxins even after several days of being out of the water.

What to do if you are stung by a Portuguese man-of-war?

It is probably best to seek medical care immediately. Other tips: wash the affected area with salt water and then remove the tentacles using a stick or other object. Do not use fresh water, vinegar, or urine since such efforts have been shown not to help and can potentially make things worse. Do not touch the tentacles with your bare skin. Report all exposures to us at the NJ Poison Center 1-800-222-1222.