Advice on jelly fish stings has been issued by the Public Health Regulation Division.
In a statement it said symptoms following a bite from a jellyfish included an intense, stinging pain, itching, rash and raised welts. Other effects were rare.
When stung by a jelly fish, oneshould:
* Soak or rinse the area in sea water. Fresh water should not be used as this would lead more toxins to be released;
* Remove tentacles with a stick, card or a pair of tweezers, being careful not to touch them with other areas of the skin to avoid secondary stinging;
* Apply alcohol to the area;
* Not rub the area;
* Not apply ice or hot water;
* Seek immediate medical treatment in case of difficulty in breathing or swallowing, chest pain or intense pain at the site of the sting.
One should avoid exposure to jelly fish by:
* Not going to known jellyfish-infested areas or where large numbers of jellyfish were reported;
* Not picking up dead jellyfish. These could still have live nematocysts that could release toxins (even if dried up);
* Wearing protective clothing when swimming in jellyfish-infested areas.
The division referred to unconfirmed reports of sighting of Portuguese Man O' War in the Mediterranean Sea.
This, it said, was not a jelly fish but a colony of marine invertebrates, the stings of which usually caused severe pain leaving whip-like, red welts on the skin.
Occasionally, a sting was accompanied by fever, shock, and interference with heart and lung action. Rarely, svere stings were associated with death.
The division said one should seek medical advice if:
*the pain persisted or was intense;
* there was an extreme reaction, or the rash worsened;
*a feeling of overall illness developed;
* ared streak developed between swollen lymph nodes and the sting;
* the affected area became red, warm and tender, or
* breathing became difficult.
The best treatment was similar to that of a jelly fish. In such cases hot water followed by the application of an icepack was helpful. Vinegar should not be used, the division said.