Headed to Phuket for the Holiday? Be careful of Portuguese man o’ war

Be careful if you are headed to Phuket for the holiday. The island’s lifeguards have put out a warning to tourists to be aware that Portuguese man o’ war may be swimming beside you if you go for a dip on any of the island’s west coast beaches like Naithon, Kamala or Surin.

The Phuket Lifeguard Service posted two pictures on their Facebook page Wednesday. They showed the man o’ wars on Surin Beach and warned tourists that there are an increasing number of Portuguese man o’ war spotted on the sand and in the water.

They also warned that the tentacles of the Portuguese man o’ war contain venom, and that they should not be touched, as the venom can cause severe pain, sometimes worse if someone has an allergic reaction to it.

A few things to note about Portuguese man o’ war, according to the U.S. National Ocean Service: they can’t swim, they are propelled by waves and wind. So, if you see one in the water, it’s going to move in the direction of the waves. They can float in packs so, if you see one, you’ll likely see more.

They are easily recognized by their balloon-like float, which can be blue, violet, or pink and rises up to six inches above the waterline. Their tentacles average at 30 feet long and hold the venom.

Their stings are rarely deadly but they are painful and leave welts. It’s also important to note that they can sting even if they have been washed ashore for weeks.

It’s still monsoon season, which is why these creatures are appearing on the beach. The island’s lifeguards have training on what do if you are stung. The Phuket Lifeguard Club Chief Prathaiyuth Chuayuan said that the first thing you should do is to “wash the affected area with warm or sea water for 30 seconds to prevent the venom getting into the bloodstream.”

Story: The Phuket News



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