According to reports, there will be an extra number of blue jellyfish on the west coast this year, which has aroused both fascination and caution among beachgoers.
– Watch out for each other when you swim and check if there are any jellyfish in the water before you jump in, says Björn Källström, marine biologist at Gothenburg’s marine biological laboratory.
Although the blue jellyfish is a natural part of the Swedish marine ecosystem, its presence varies greatly from year to year.
Sporadic visit
The blue stingray is not considered very uncommon, but it appears more sporadically compared to its red and transparent relatives.
– Many feel that they have not seen the blue jellyfish before, even though it actually occurred in previous seasons, says Källström.
The red stingray and common ear jellyfish are more regular in their appearances, making the blue more noticeable once it appears in larger numbers.
Confusion with other jellyfish
Confusion between the blue jellyfish and other species such as the ear jellyfish is not uncommon.
– The common ear jellyfish, which is almost transparent and has four characteristic “ears”, says Källström and continues, the ear jellyfish poses no risk of burns. The blue stingray, on the other hand, has distinct blue colors and tentacles that can cause painful burns. It is important to be able to identify these differences to avoid unwanted encounters.
Burn intensity: blue vs red burn jellyfish
The experience of how much a burning jellyfish burns varies between individuals.
– Some feel that the blue jellyfish causes more severe burns than the red, while others think the opposite. Some people can even be relatively unaffected by both types, says Källström.
– However, it is important to have respect for all types of jellyfish and to keep an eye on each other when swimming, he says.
The blue jellyfish is a fascinating but respectful part of the west coast’s marine life. Despite its beauty, it can cause painful burns, and it’s important to be prepared on how best to deal with these.
– Many times it is recommended to rinse in fresh water or rub where the jellyfish has sent its small stinging harpoons, but it is not recommended, says Källström.
By following the marine biologist’s advice below, you can minimize discomfort and enjoy summer swimming without too much worry.
Burned by jellyfish – treat like this
If the accident should happen and you are burned by a blue jellyfish, there are some important steps to follow:
Do not rub the area
Rubbing the burned skin can cause more hives to be activated, making the situation worse.
Rinse with salt water
Immediately after being burned, flush the area with salt water rather than fresh water. This helps minimize further activation of hive cells.
Use a credit card
A common trick is to scrape the burned area with a credit card to remove any remaining tentacles and hive cells.
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