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‘Will never forget pain’ – Urgent warning over dangerous fish with ‘agonising’ sting hiding in sand at Irish beaches

THE National Poisons Information Centre of Ireland has issued a warning over the dangers of weever fish around the coast.

There have already been dozens of reports of bathers being stung by the dangerous tiny fish from beaches up and down the country.

Greater Weever -Trachinus draco-, Black Sea, Crimea, Ukraine
The weever fish has an agonising sting
Getty Images – Getty
Clonea Beach, County Waterford, Ireland - July 21 2021: Clonea Beach packed with people having fun on the sand and in the water on a roasting 21 July 2021 in Clonea Strand, County Waterford, Ireland.
Ireland’s beaches are expected to be packed this weekend as roasting 30C temps hit
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With the weather expected to get better in the coming days, more and more people will flock to the coastline.

The tiny fish have sharp spines containing venom on their dorsal fin.

They are found all parts of the Irish coast but only in sandy areas, usually in warm shallow waters in the hour before and after low tide.

Unlike most fish, they have no swim bladder, meaning that they sink to the bottom as soon as they stop swimming.

They are, therefore, difficult to see because they spend most of their time buried under the sand. 

Standing on a weever fish results in immediate intense, burning pain with the most intense pain coming in the first two hours.

The painful sting can also result in swelling, numbness and warmth.

The sting is likely to feel numb until the following day, with irritation and pain that may last for up to two weeks.

Sometimes, the spine breaks off in the foot and it will cause discomfort until it is removed.

The NPIC this week issued a warning to people to beware of the tiny predator and were inundated with comments from people across the country telling of their frightening experiences.

One person revealed: “Stood on one of these in Kilmuckridge in Wexford a few year back oh good Jesus the pain is awful, I’d never heard of weaver fish at the time but thankfully my neighbour did and knew exactly what to do when she seen my foot…

“Put swim shoes or crocs on the kids going in the water and don’t let kids sit at the shoreline/ shallow water this is where they are found most.”

Another said: “Stepped on one of these on Achill Island and it’s not fun! Thankfully the lifeguards knew what it was straight away and stuck the kettle on.”

A third described the sting as “agonising”, adding that he “will never forget the pain” of the ordeal.

The weever fish can cause anaphylactic shock or an allergic reaction to those who are vulnerable and people have died from the sting in rare cases.

Water Safety Ireland advise the public to “stop swimming” around one or two hours either side of low water to reduce the risk of stepping on the fish.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE STUNG

THE NPIC has issued a list of guidelines for people to follow if they are stung by the tiny pest.

  • Seek assistance from a lifeguard, if available.
  • Submerge the affected limb or wound in hot water, as hot as can be tolerated for up to 90 minutes or until pain is easing.
  • As the sting can result in numbness, immerse the unaffected limb too, as this may prevent inadvertent scalding.
  • Cold applications may worsen the discomfort.
  • Paracetamol can be considered to relieve pain. Care should be taken when pain relief is given that thermal burns do not occur due to the effects of the pain killer masking the temperature of the water used.
  • The puncture site should be examined and embedded spines removed.
  • Seek medical attention from a doctor as a tetanus and/or antibiotics may be required.
  • Call the NPIC on 01 8092166 if you stand on a weever fish.

The public has been urged to wear flip flops or sandals when walking on the beach close to low water.

One member of the public who was previously stung by one of the little nippers vowed she will will “never not wear swim shoes” when she goes for a dip in the sea.

She said: “Stood on one last summer, and omg the pain!!! I think I have a good pain threshold, but I would have been a blubbering mess only my children were with me.

I went straight to the life guards, was so painful. Thought I was dying to be honest. I normally have a good pain threshold but this was immense. I will never not wear swim shoes“.

Greater weever, Trachinus draco, Croatia, Adriatic sea, Mediterranean sea
The pesky weever hides in the sand
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