Increased number of jellyfish stings reported on east coast

Edinburgh Reporter

20-07-2025

People visiting beaches on the east coast of Scotland are being warned to look out for jellyfish along the shore after an increase in reported stings.
RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeguards say that with sea temperatures rising and more people heading to beaches, they are also seeing an increase in reports of jellyfish.
Jellyfish are common throughout the summer months in Scotland, with large groups – or blooms – regularly spotted in the water and washed up along the coast.
Moon jellyfish, which are translucent with four distinctive pinkish-purple spheres, are relatively harmless and have a mild sting.
But red-coloured Lion's Mane – the largest jellyfish in Scottish waters, reaching up to two metres across with long trailing tentacles – and Compass jellyfish can cause painful stings.
The RNLI warned that a sting from a Lion's Mane jellyfish can cause pain and redness, swelling or a stinging sensation and in some cases nausea, sweating, cramps, headaches and other symptoms.
They said bathers who suffer a sting should let a lifeguard know straight away so they can provide first aid if needed.
RNLI lifeguards are currently on duty on the east coast at Broughty Ferry near Dundee, Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders and in Fife at Burntisland, Leven, St Andrews East and West Sands, Elie, and Silver Sands in Aberdour.
Bradley Schreiber, an RNLI lifeguard based across the area, said: 'We've seen an increase in jellyfish recently across all our beaches, especially when there are onshore winds – when the wind is coming from out at sea and blowing on to the beach.
'Over the past two or three weeks we are definitely seeing an increase in reports of stings, although thankfully we've not seen anything too serious.
'With the smaller Moon jellyfish a sting can be quite similar to a nettle, but Lion's Mane jellyfish can get very big and their sting can hurt quite badly. A big Lion's Mane jellyfish, depending on where the sting is, can be quite severe.
'There was a previous situation where one of them slipped into someone's wetsuit, which was too big, and they were stung all over their body.'
RNLI said that bathers who suspect they have been stung should avoid rinsing with fresh water or any substances with alcohol as this can worsen the sting.
Instead, they should use a card such as a bank card to gently scrape off any remaining tentacles, then head back into the sea between the RNLI's red and yellow flags. The cold salt water helps to soothe the pain and deactivate any remaining stingers from releasing further venom.
People who start to feel unwell, or notice a rash or swelling, should speak to a lifeguard immediately as it may be signs of an allergic reaction.
Mr Shreiber said: 'If you can feel pain and you believe you've been stung by a jellyfish, let a lifeguard know so we can keep an eye on you in case something more serious happens like an anaphylactic attack, which is an allergic reaction and can come on rapidly.
'It's very rare but it can happen and it's good for us to know so we can keep an eye on you.'
Mr Shreiber warned that urinating on the sting area was a myth and 'not recommended'.
The tactic, which has been proven ineffective and even possibly harmful, was popularised in an episode of the sitcom Friends, 'The One With The Jellyfish', in which Monica is stung on the foot and Chandler reluctantly tries the remedy Joey recalled seeing in a documentary.
Mr Shreiber said: 'We don't recommend that, it's not the advice we give out.
'It's certainly not what we are trained to do. Seawater works just fine and I'm sure it's a lot more hygienic.'
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