Slightly warmer water temperatures and easterly winds have brought a fresh crop of bluebottles floating in to Wollongong, prompting the council to put up warning signs at several beaches.
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Wollongong City Council's beach services coordinator Jason Foye said north-east facing beaches – like North Beach, Windang and Fairy Meadow – were most likely to be affected by the stingers.
Protected beaches, like City Beach, Port Kembla and Towradgi were less likely to be affected.
“Predominantly we get them following nor-east winds and east winds,” Mr Foye said.
“And generally they come when the water starts to warm up, so we did have that cold spell and the water is now slowly climbing back up – it’s not as good as most people would like but back up around 19 and 20 degrees.”
Mr Foye said the recent flotilla of bluebottles was not large in comparison to previous seasons, but said lifeguards had put up warning signs around flagged areas to notify swimmers.
“We do find that people generally tend to ignore bluebottles until they get stung,” he said.
“The most important thing if that people swim at patrolled beaches, because if you are at a patrolled beach you’ll be made aware of these hazards and provide the appropriate care.”
Treating a sting
Bluebottle tentacles can deliver a painful sting to ocean swimmers and even when washed up dead on the beach.
More than 10,000 people report being stung by bluebottle in Australia each year, with up to 30,000 reports in peak years.
The sharp painful sting may be felt for a few minutes or up to a few hours.
While in the past, remedies have included ice, vinegar, urine, cold tea and warm beer, water is now known to be the best treatment.
“We usually just take the stinger off and send people up to the shower,” Mr Foye said.
“But everyone is different and if they appear to be in further distress, then further treatment would be provided. In severe cases we’ve had to call an ambulance and put them oxygen therapy.”