by Last month, hundreds of people were injured by weever fish in Spain, so tourists are being urged to be careful of the poisonous creatures.
According to local reports, up to 700 stings have occurred in recent weeks as tourists step on fish lounging on the shores of the country’s beaches.
The fish usually grow to a maximum length of 40 centimeters, are brownish-white in color and have a poisonous dorsal fin.
The fish attack mainly in defense when they feel threatened and are capable of hitting their target with enough force and precision to pierce leather boots with their venomous spines, reports Diario de Ibiza.
They usually live on sandy bottoms and are found in shallow, temperate waters, so encounters with sun-seeking humans are quite common.
Juan, who is in charge of monitoring a beach in Sanxenxo where most of the bites occurred, told Spanish broadcaster Antenna 3 that the severity of the bites can vary and compared some to mosquito bites.
Depending on the case, unsuspecting victims may only suffer burns, but it can also have more serious consequences.
Raúl García, a contributor to the television program “Espejo Público,” says he was stung in Cádiz over a year ago and that it was “the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life.”
The impact was so violent that García became dizzy and fell to the ground. The lifeguards recommended that he place his foot in dry sand so that the warmth would ease the pain.
The Galician community has been particularly hard hit this year, although stings have also been reported on beaches along the Costa de la Luz in Cadiz, The Olive Press reported.
Although such incidents are less common in the Mediterranean, according to the source, they occurred on well-known beaches on the Costa del Sol, including Playa de la Malagueta in Málaga, Playa de la Carihuela in Torremolinos and Playa de la Rada in Estepona.
Meanwhile, tourists are advised to be cautious on the beaches of the Costa Blanca – Playa de Levante in Benidorm, Playa de San Juan in Alicante and the beaches around Torrevieja.
They can also be found on popular beaches on the Costa Brava, including Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar and Platja d’Aro. Spiderfish are also occasionally found there, as they are attracted to the sandy and rocky seabeds.
Experts recommend staying alert and paying attention to the fish’s telltale fins.
Those who are stung are advised to leave the water immediately as there is a risk of drowning due to dizziness.
After leaving the water, carefully and without pressure remove any remaining spines, gently clean the affected area with sea water, observe the symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
According to WebMD, possible symptoms after a sting include:
- Severe pain
- itching
- swelling
- heat
- Redness
- deafness
- Tingle
- Nausea
- Vomit
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Abdominal cramps
- Dizziness
- Tremble
More serious reactions include:
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- weakness
- paralysis
- shortness of breath
- Seizures
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting spells
Deaths from a sting are extremely rare, although respiratory arrest and gangrene resulting from infection have been reported in previous years.
