Portuguese Man O’ War Wash Up On Beach

Gulf Shores Gulf Shores Fire Department The purple flags are flying in Gulf Shores to warn beach goers about these unwanted visitors. Their sting can cause severe pain and red welts on the skin that last 2-3 days.

by WKRG Staff

Published: Wed, March 25, 2009 - 5:59 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, March 25, 2009 - 6:05 pm CST

The Gulf Shores Fire Department wants beach goers to be on the lookout for Portuguese Man O' War.

Thousands of the jelly like creatures washed up on the beach Wednesday because of the strong wind and surf.

Portuguese Man O' War can sting still sting you even if they're out of the water. The venom in their tentacles usually causes severe pain for about an hour and red welts on the skin that last for 2-3 days.

If you get stung by a Portuguese Man O' War:
- Remove any remnants of the creature from the skin, but don't use your fingers.
- Apply salt water to the affected area.
- Then apply hot water to ease the pain of the sting
- Finally, apply ice, preferably in the form of an icepack, to suppress swelling and pain

Purple flags are flying at the beach to warn people about the dangerous marine life. There is also a warning on the surf condition line, 251.968.TIDE.

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Courtesy: Gulf Shores Fire Rescue

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MeAmerican Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:54 pm

And where exactly is your head at? You may need an Optirectomy!

Wait4Me Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:45 pm

So many insults but most would go right over his head.

MeAmerican Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:35 pm

If the shoe fits!!

ickthus Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:26 pm

pull the plug on the money and they just go away

Great1 Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:25 pm

think meAmerican had to go to bed.

MeAmerican Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:25 pm

HA! That also!

ickthus Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:22 pm

he forgot life suport system

Great1 Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:20 pm

dougstech wrote, Is MeAmerican a she?
I don’t fit the profile because I don’t lie, cheat, or use people for my personal gain!!

Nice, very nice,. If my English lessons are worth anything then you mean to say that women are liars, cheaters and whatever is the same as out for personal gain?

MeAmerican Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:14 pm

dougstech wrote, Is MeAmerican a she?
I don’t fit the profile because I don’t lie, cheat, or use people for my personal gain!!

Great1 Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 7:07 pm

maybe

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