#Portuguese man o war myrtle beach skin#

In the coming weeks beach visitors should exercise caution in the ocean and on the beach to avoid contact with the Portuguese Man o’ War. In the event of a severe allergic reaction dial 9-1-1 immediately. Studies show fresh water is less effective as a treatment. A venomous Portuguese man o’ war was sighted on Sullivan. The animals are a common sight on Atlantic beaches. If stung, the suggested remedy is to rinse immediately with salt water to wash away any microscopic nematocysts. A Portuguese man o’ war on the beach at Sullivan’s Island in 2018. In extreme cases the venom can travel to the lymph nodes and cause symptoms that mimic an allergic reaction such as swelling of the larynx, airway blockage or cardiac distress.

Pain generally subsides after three hours.

#Portuguese man o war myrtle beach skin#

Stings will generally cause red welts on the skin that can last up to three days often resulting in severe dermatitis. Its long venomous tentacles can inflict a painful sting to swimmers or even beach walkers. Wind and tide conditions often push them close to the beach or cause them to wash ashore. It lives on the ocean surface and has no means of propulsion. They get their name from historical ships. The average tentacle length is about 30 feet. The Portuguese Man o’ War is a marine hydrozoan of the Physaliidae family commonly found in the Atlantic Ocean. Portuguese Man O’War tentacles can stretch 165 feet below the surfacethat is almost as long as the Leaning Tower of Pisa is tall Not all Man of War’s have such impressive appendages, though. Although the colder water near the beach may kill the Man-o-War, it still has the capacity to sting and cause pain.

Man o’ War is uncommon during the winter months however, recent ENE wind circulation may have driven the hydrozoan toward Charleston area beaches from warmer water near the Gulf Stream. There have been no reports of stings to date. Public Safety officials have recovered what appears to be several Portuguese Man o’ War at Sullivan’s Island.