Stinging Jellyfish in Greece, First Aid by Species & Live Mapping

Thomais
1 hour ago
6 min read

Now that you're enjoying your dips in the sea, I wanted to inform you about the stinging jellyfish, and how to treat their pesky stings, so you can find relief quickly – and without risking danger in the water.

I've also included a map where you can search (and for other species), and see in real-time the areas where jellyfish have been reported.

At the end, I've prepared a file with photographs by species, so you can print it out and keep it with you in a waterproof sleeve, so you can identify them and provide the correct first aid.

What to do when we realise we've been stung while swimming

Breathing

The most important thing in this situation is to concentrate for just a few seconds ONLY on our breathing, and to make it DEEP and SLOW! Very important!

By doing this, we avoid panicking – which can even cause drowning – and we calm our nervous system, so the sensation of the sting reduces.

We’ll retain this breathing until the pain subsides!

Gentle Movements

We must avoid nervous movements, so we don't get stung again by the tentacles that our limbs may create, if there are still tentacles nearby.

E.g. if it stings us on the left hand, we swim slowly to the right.

If it stings us on the right leg, we swim slowly to the left and forwards.

With deep breathing.

Identification

As soon as we feel that we are in a safe distance (max 2 meters), we stay as calm as possible so we can identify the jellyfish in order to provide the correct first aid, and swim avoiding it towards the shore.

*If a child has been stung, try to do the identification yourself.

With deep breathing.

Exiting the Water

However far we are from the shore, we continue to concentrate on our breathing and swim steadily. We get out of the water.

Removing Tentacles

We sit near the water. Never touch the affected area with our hands. Instead, use tweezers, or something like a plastic card, and pass the edge over the area, rinsing with seawater to remove any remaining fragments.

*Only use seawater. Fresh water can cause the discharge of additional nematocysts.

With deep breathing.

Allergies

In case you know you’re are allergic to stings, seek immediate medical help, or follow your doctor's instructions and use the medications prescribed (e.g., self-administered adrenaline/epinephrine) if you feel discomfort.

*Cortisone doesn't act immediately in such cases.

With deep breathing.

We Seek Immediate Medical Help When We Experience

Difficulty in breathing

Hoarseness (breaking voice)

Swelling of tongue or throat

Dizziness or fainting

Extensive rash (with swelling, etc.)

Severe pain that doesn't subside for more than 2-4 hours

Sting on a small child with extensive area affected

Children: Calm and Breathing

The matter of breathing and staying calm is very important to teach our children from a very young age – not only for the sea, but for every field, e.g. mountain, school, insect stings, accidents, falls, and even for emotions they cannot manage. They will generally have a better life if they have calm and can manage situations.

We teach this by breathing together with them, saying very few reassuring words, in a gentle tone and with support.

It's essential that we can apply this technique ourselves, to keep our calm in the child's emergencies (and our own), and because our children learn from example.

We don't dismiss their pain, we don't scold them, we don't lose our temper, we don't shout.

Let's Look at the Species That Can Cause Pain and Irritation With Their Sting – and How We Manage Them

Cotylorhiza tuberculata (Fried Egg)

It has the characteristic 'egg' in the centre. Its sting is usually unnoticeable and causes very mild irritation. Very common in Greek seas.

Preferred: apply warm water (42–45°C for 20–30 minutes). Alternatively, an ice pack wrapped in a towel can be used for pain relief.

Discomedusa

A large disc-shaped jellyfish of the Mediterranean with relatively mild nematocysts. Contact with the skin can cause mild irritation, a burning sensation, or temporary redness, without being dangerous to humans.

Preferred: apply warm water (42–45°C for 20–30 minutes), or an ice pack in a towel.

Cassiopea Andromeda (the Upside-Down Jellyfish)

An invasive species recorded mainly in the south-eastern Mediterranean. It often lives near the seabed with its tentacles pointing upwards. Contact can cause mild to moderate skin irritation.

Rinse with seawater as mentioned and apply warm water (42–45°C for 20–30 minutes).

Pelagia noctiluca (Purple Jellyfish)

Distinguished by its purple-pink colour. Its sting is painful and can cause irritation, inflammation, and allergic reactions.

Fresh water is strictly prohibited!

Apply a paste of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda + water) to the area. You can keep a small jar with you at all times; it won't go off due to its high alkalinity.

Warm water (42–45°C) for 20–30 minutes – heat deactivates the toxin.

Ice in a towel.

Rhizostoma pulmo (Barrel Jellyfish)

It has nematocysts that can cause mild to moderate skin irritation. Its sting causes a mild burning sensation on the skin, can cause dermatitis, but does not pose a serious threat to humans.

Preferred: apply warm water (42–45°C for 20–30 minutes), an ice pack in a towel for pain relief.

Aurelia spp (Moon Jellyfish)

The most widespread in Greek waters – semi-transparent with a blue/white colour. Often found in shallow, calm, and relatively protected waters, in enclosed bays, harbours, and marinas, in areas with high nutrient levels. Its sting is mild.

Preferred: apply warm water (42–45°C for 20–30 minutes), an ice pack in a towel.

Chrysaora Hysoscella (Compass Jellyfish)

Rarely found in Greek seas, but its sting can become painful.

Warm water 42-45°C for 20-30 minutes

Rhopilema nomadica (Nomadic Jellyfish)

It is a Lessepsian migrant from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. Its presence in the Aegean is increasing, but it remains much more common in the south-eastern Aegean and eastern Mediterranean. Its sting is quite painful and can cause severe allergic reactions. It appears mainly August-September, in warm waters.

Warm water (42-45°C) for 20-30 minutes

The Confusion Between Jellyfish and Gelatinous Organisms

Many people confuse jellyfish with various gelatinous planktonic species that don't sting at all, such as the well-known 'jelly blobs'

hand holding jellyblob — Photo from the internet

Mnemiopsis leidyi (Sea Walnut)

Beroe ovata (Comb Jelly & Cigar Comb Jelly)

Salp

We Must Remember That Jellyfish Are Important for the Sea

Although we often fear them, jellyfish have been a natural and valuable part of the marine ecosystem for hundreds of millions of years.

They are food for many marine species, most famously sea turtles, particularly the Caretta Caretta. Additionally, many small fish and other organisms find shelter among their tentacles.

Jellyfish contribute to the natural balance of the seas and do not attack humans. Stings usually happen when we come into contact with them.

For this reason, we don't hit them, we don't kill them, and we don't bring them to shore. Like any living organism, they deserve our respect, as they have their own important role in marine life.

The Real-Time Jellyfish Search Map and Instructions

Write where I've placed the arrow the species of jellyfish you want to search for, in Latin, as I've given you, complete (if you wish) the area, and press Go.

Alternatively, leave the species blank, and by zooming the map with your mouse wheel, centring with a left-click held down, you can click on the dots, see which species have been reported, and then check the photo file to see if they are dangerous.

For example, here we can see it has 'little eggs', so we can go.

Here is the Map

*Today (13/6), when I was writing this article, the Pagasetic Gulf, Skiathos and Evia had many mauves.

Here is the printable catalogue to have with you.

That's all for today, dear friends, I hope you don't come across any that sting, but if it happens, remember the technique of concentrating on breathing, the correct steps, and everything will be fine!!

I wish you a happy summer – which personally, I can't bear because of the heat, ahahaha – and healthy swims.

Beware of polluted beaches! They are much more dangerous than Jellyfish

Take care and stay strong!

Holistic Therapy

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My love,

Thomais

Internationally Certified Holistic Therapist

Member of IPHM

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