There were a LOT of jellyfish at HH last August. We each got a turn or 2 at being stung. Thankfully the lifeguards had vinegar to spray on the stings. DH still has a red mark on one leg from one of his. It wrapped around his leg and got him pretty good. We ended up spending a lot of time by the pool because we couldn't play in ocean very much.
Some do have a nasty sting they are not common until the water gets a lot warmer - mostly late June-mid Sep. The Sea Nettle is the most likely to be the culprit at HH. We got nailed a few times last July and August. DW had a scar for a few months afterwards - mine only lasted a few days but it sure does get your attention when the tentacles drag across your leg or arm.
If you are stung you can rub sea water over the area and then scrape the area with a credit card to remove some the nematocysts. Do NOT use fresh water as that releases more of the toxin from the nematocysts.
Cannonball Jelly
(Stomolophus meleagris)
(Also known as the jellyball, and the cabbage head jelly) 8-10" in size. Little danger to humans
Mushroom Jelly
(Rhopilema verrilli)10-20" in size. No danger to humans
Southern Moon Jelly
(Aurelia marginalis) typically 6-8" but can be larger. Infrequent in SC. The moon jelly is only slightly venomous. Contact can produce symptoms from immediate prickly sensations to mild burning. Pain is usually restricted to immediate area of contact.
Lion’s Mane
(Cyanea capillata) 6-8" in size. Usually prevalent in winter months.
Symptoms are similar to those of the moon jelly but, usually more intense. Pain is relatively mild and often described as burning rather than stinging.
Sea Nettle
(Chrysaora quinquecirrha)
The sea nettle is frequently observed in South Carolina waters during summer months. This jellyfish is saucer-shaped with brown or red pigments, usually 6-8 inches in diameter. Four oral arms and long marginal tentacles hang from the bell and can extend several feet. Considered moderate to severe, symptoms from sea nettle stings are similar to those of the lion’s mane. Given that they are most abundant in the summer, when the greatest number of people are likely to be swimming in the ocean, this species is thought to be responsible for most of the jellyfish stings that occur in South Carolina. Exercise caution if sea nettles are observed in the water, and do not swim if large numbers are present.
Sea Wasp
(Chiropsalmus quadrumanus)
Known as the box jelly because of its cube-shaped bell, the sea wasp is the most venomous jellyfish inhabiting our waters. Their potent sting can cause severe dermatitis and may even require hospitalization. Sea wasps are strong, graceful swimmers reaching 5-6 inches in diameter and 4-6 inches in height. Several long tentacles hang from the four corners of the cube. A similar species, the four-tentacled Tamoya haplonema, also occurs in our waters.
Portuguese Man-of-War
(Physalia physalis)
Although a member of the phylum Cnidaria, the Portuguese man-of-war is not a "true" jellyfish. These animals consist of a complex colony of individual members, including a float, modified feeding polyps and reproductive medusae. Though they infrequently visit our coast, swimmers should learn to identify these highly venomous creatures.
Physalia typically inhabit the warm waters of the tropics, subtropics and Gulf Stream. Propelled by wind and ocean currents, they sometimes drift into nearshore waters of South Carolina. Though they infrequently visit our coast, swimmers should learn to identify these highly venomous creatures.
The gas-filled float of the man-of-war is purple-blue and can reach lengths of 10 inches. Under the float, tentacles equipped with thousands of nematocysts hang from the feeding polyps extending as much as 30 to 60 feet.
The man-of-war can inflict extremely painful stings. Symptoms include severe shooting pain described as a shock-like sensation, and intense joint and muscle pain. Pain may be accompanied by headaches, shock, collapse, faintness, hysteria, chills, fever, nausea and vomiting. Given the significant danger of Physalia, all jellyfish having a blue float should be considered dangerous unless specified by an expert.
Here is a link to the
article from the South Carolina DNR.
) both of those boats. The DVC resort is in the background.
