PHUKET: Phuket lifeguards are warning swimmers to beware of bluebottles. The stinging sea creatures have been spied on Phuket beaches, and they are capable of causing painful stings.
Lifeguards say that two Physalia-Bluebottles were spotted on Naithon beach on Phuket's west coast last week and two days later, more were spotted at Nai Harn beach, far to the south.
The bluebottles can cause burning skin pain, usually leaving a raised white weal. Sweating, breathing difficulties, anxiety and nausea can follow.
The bluebottle, as its name suggests, is dark blue in color and can have a tentacle stretching up to a metre in length.
The best treatment for a bluebottle sting is vinegar. All lifeguard stations on Phuket's most popular west coast beaches are equipped with vinegar.
Phuket during the monsoon season does have stringers of different kinds in the water, but not all are as painful as the bluebottle.
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The bluebottles can cause burning skin pain, usually leaving a raised white weal. Sweating, breathing difficulties, anxiety and nausea can follow.
The bluebottle, as its name suggests, is dark blue in color and can have a tentacle stretching up to a metre in length.
The best treatment for a bluebottle sting is vinegar. All lifeguard stations on Phuket's most popular west coast beaches are equipped with vinegar.
Phuket during the monsoon season does have stringers of different kinds in the water, but not all are as painful as the bluebottle.
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Could these bluebottles be a blessing in time?
Sting the swimmers before they get into swimming difficulty in deeper water and drown. These bluebottles will surely keep the people out of the sea for a while.
Posted by Robin on June 19, 2011 16:59