People heading to Suffolk’s beaches are warned about a large number of stinging fish.
Weever fish have been reported on our coast including at Southwold - and if stood on with bare feet - they can sting,
The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) say that 'being stung by a Weever fish can be painful, but it is generally nothing to worry about as it does not cause any significant damage.'
The level of pain varies between people due to each individual’s pain tolerance and also due to the number of spines that punctured the skin.
Found in shallow waters, Weever fish are difficult to see as they bury themselves in sand - with just their eyes and he dorsal fin that contains three spines of venom showing.
The RNLI advise those stung by a Weever fish to:
- Keep the injured area in warm water for as long as possible. RNLI lifeguards dealing with stings will keep them in warm water for around 10 minutes until the pain becomes bearable.
- Wash the area with warm soapy water. This keeps the area around the puncture free of dirt and helps prevent infections.
- Check and care for the wound. People may need to bandage the punctured area.
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