Beachgoers have been warned that a dangerous tiny fish is swimming in the waters of North Wales.
There have been multiple reports of parents and their little ones being stung by a weever fish, with coastguards issuing urgent safety warnings.
With already 11 cases of people stepping on the weever fish in one beach in Gwynedd alone, parents were left frightened, reported North Wales Live.
More beachgoers on the Llŷn Peninsula also reported recent stings on beaches near Abersoch and Llanbedrog, with another at Tywyn in south Gwynedd.
Shell Island, near Llanbedr in Gwynedd, issued a warning after a visitor was stung there.
Despite concerning reports, Moelfre Coastguard on Anglesey said there is "nothing to be warned about", but beach visitors should take extra precautions and wear some type of footwear.
According to experts, the spine of the aquatic animal can cause such excruciating pain - sometimes even described 'worse than childbirth'.
Weever fish are small – usually about 8cm long – and can typically be found at the water’s edge at low tide.
The creature then buries itself under the sand, but leaves its poisonous dorsal spines sticking out for the unwary.
Following more and more reports of people being stung, beachgoers shared pictures of them and their experiences online.
One holidaymaker said her daughter was given first aid on Tywyn beach last week after she twice trod on a weever fish.
Writing on Facebook, she said: “Her screaming was unbearable and the beach wardens said grown men scream exactly like that! Literally watched loads of poison bubbles popping up all around the two areas stung.
“It also paralysed her big toe! Had to rush her down to get first aid, which was to immerse her foot in boiling/as close to boiling water as she could take for half an hour to draw the venom out.”
A woman who was stung a few years ago also shared what happened to her, saying it was the worst pain she'd ever experienced, adding: “My foot went twice its size.”
Another weever fish victim from Borth, Ceredigion, was also left in agony.
“Never felt so much pain,” she said. “Would rather have had another baby.”
Meanwhile, an 11-year-boy needed beach first aid after getting spiked in Barmouth two years ago. His mum said: “His toes went numb first then the pain started, he passed out and was shaking with the pain.
“The lifeguards carried him to their hut where they put his foot in a bowl and slowly added boiling water out of kettle to as hot he could stand. Pain eventually eased off. He is 13 now and will always wear sliders in the sea.”
Weever fish are present on beaches around the UK and on the Continent too. They can be found half-buried in sand all year round but sting reports peak during the summer as beaches become busier.
Despite the recent wave of reports, weever fish stings are relatively rare.
A boy stung on a beach at Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, this week was said to be the first victim there this year. His mum said: “It did hurt him (but) he was super brave. The lifeguards said they’ve seen adults reduced to tears because the pain is so bad. It looked like he’d just stood on glass and had a prick mark, it’s only when his foot started swelling that I knew it was something else.”
It must be noted that the amount of pain they inflict is not the same for everyone, and knowing what to do will ease the degree of discomfort.
Holidaymakers on Shell Island acted quickly last week after a 12-year-old boy was stung.
“We just put hot flannel on it for about an hour and gave him two paracetamol,” said his grandmother.
“He was fine in three hours and promised not to go in the sea without Crocs again. It’s not put him off, I’m pleased to say.”
A mum reported a similar experience on a beach near Porthmadog last week when her little girl trod on a weever fish.
“Luckily enough I knew what to do and she wasn't in too much pain for long,” she said.
Only if the victim has underlying conditions can things deteriorate. In 2016, a 64-year-old fisherman from Wrexham suffered a severe reaction and was airlifted to hospital after being stung at Trefor, Gwynedd.
What to do if you get stung
Moelfre Coastguard suggested beachgoers invest in some type of sea shoes, or just use old trainers. If you do get stung, and you’re on a lifeguarded beach, it’s best to seek their help.
A spokesperson said: “Treatment for stings is hot water immersion at the highest temperature that is safe to do so – and keep topping up with hot water. Please take care, do not pour boiling water directly onto the skin!
“Pain should start to ease but painkillers are advised. The worst of the pain will start 30 minutes after and will gradually start to subside. Symptoms include swelling, itching, numbness.”
For the pain, take paracetamol, along with antihistamine if you react. If the reaction looks serious, contact your GP or visit the hospital. Worst-case symptoms include severe swelling and bleeding, chest pain and difficulty breathing.
If you have tweezers to hand, use them to remove barbs. Otherwise, use a credit or debit card to push barbs from the skin.
As dogs must go bare-pawed, the only way to remove risk is to keep them off beaches. However, the risk is low: thousands of dogs are walking on beaches every day without any problems. If they are stung, a visit to the vet may be in order to ensure all barbs are completely removed.
