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The Journal
4 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Irish swimmers warned about venomous fish that can 'ruin' a beach day
IN THE WAKE of the hot spell, swimmers are being warned about a venomous fish which can be found buried in sand around the Irish coastline. The weever fish lurks in sandy areas of shallow waters with only its fin visible, and gives a painful sting to unsuspecting swimmers and walkers who cross its path. The sting can cause severe pain, swelling, redness and numbness which peaks in the first two hours, but may last more than 24 hours. A sting is usually non-life threatening, but severe cases may cause anaphylactic shock. Méabh Delaney was stung by a weever fish while holidaying in Kerry and described it as a 'really horrible' experience. 'I was walking on the beach with my friend who was a lifeguard and next thing I knew, I felt a weird sensation in my leg and my foot. Thankfully I was with my friend who knew straight away it was a weever fish because they can be common enough in Kerry waters', she said. Delaney said her friend brought her to the lifeguard on duty who was used to treating weever fish stings and immediately prepared boiling water to treat the sting. 'Because it was an isolated Kerry beach they only had a limited supply of boiling water, and that is how you get the sting out. You have to put your foot in water as hot as possible, you nearly have to burn your foot just to get the poison out,' she said. 'It was really, really sore, the lifeguard said he has seen grown men cry from the sting. The longer you leave it, the worse it gets and it travels up your leg', she added. Advertisement Roger Sweeney, deputy CEO of Water Safety Ireland said the fish are 'all around' the Irish coast and most common between May and September when the water temperature rises. 'They're very small, but they're venomous', he said, adding that a sting from a weever fish will 'ruin the day'. 'People have described it as intense for the first two hours. The foot can go red and swell up and can feel a bit numb. It can last on to the following day, with irritation for days', he said. To reduce the risk of a sting, swimmers are advised to avoid the beach during the two hours before or after low tide as weever fish prefer warm, shallow sandy waters where people paddle. Sweeney recommends swimming in lifeguarded waterways, wearing foot protection, or shuffling your feet when walking on the sand to disturb the fish and prevent a sting. Bathers who fall victim to the fish are advised to consult a lifeguard and immerse their foot in water 'as hot as can be tolerated' at up to 40 degrees Celsius for up to 90 minutes minimum, as heat breaks down the venom. If the pain persists, seek medical attention. Sweeney warned that the numbness caused by the sting may desensitise your foot, risking a potential burn from the hot water. To avoid this, place both feet in the water to ensure the temperature is not dangerous. He advised against using cold compresses on a sting, as the cold will worsen the pain. If stung, the National Poisons Information Centre recommends taking paracetamol to relieve pain and calling the NPIC on 01 8092166. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
16-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Wicklow swimmers stung by weever fish as warning issued
While the forecast for this weekend does not look so promising, it won't stop people returning to the water and those that do should be aware of the reports and take precautions. In Greystones, a woman posted on social media that her daughter got stung by a weever fish on the previous Thursday afternoon on Greystones' north beach. Another swimmer posted on Saturday that they too were stung and his regret could be for your benefit as they wished they had packed swim shoes for the beach that day. "I am in so much pain. So many people talking about this and I still didn't wear my water shoes. I won't go to the sea again without my water shoes. It ruined my day,' they said. Bray Sea Swimmers posted an alert the week before the heatwave, warning people of the presence of weever fish in the waters at Bray. The group also shared some useful advice from the National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC), which is worth taking on board if you are planning to visit the beach anytime soon. The weever fish is found in all parts of the Irish coast 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. The have sharp spines containing venom on their dorsal fin. Standing on a Weeverfish results in immediate intense, burning pain. The pain is most intense in the first two hours and can result in swelling, numbness and warmth. If you have been stung by a weever fish, you should do the following: 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. Note that 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 the embedded spines removed. Seek medical attention from a doctor as a tetanus and/or antibiotics may be required. You can call the NPIC on 01 8092166 if you stand on a weever fish for further advice.
Extra.ie
09-07-2025
- Health
- Extra.ie
Warning for beach-goers as fish hidden in sand has 'horrendous' sting
With the temperatures set to soar in the coming days, beach-goers are being warned of an unassuming little fish with an 'absolutely horrendous' sting, who is hiding in the shallows. The Weeverfish is found all over the Irish coast but appears only in the sandy areas of the unusually warm shallow waters around an hour before and after low tide. The National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) explains that the fish, unlike others, has no swim bladder so sinks to the bottom when they stop swimming. The Weeverfish is found in all parts of the Irish coast but appears only in the sandy areas of the — usually in warm shallow waters in the hour before and after low tide. Pic: Getty Images This makes them difficult to see as they are often buried under the sand in the shallows. The little creature has sharp spines containing venom on their dorsal fin, which, if stepped on, can prove to be an excruciatingly painful experience. Outlining what to expect if you are unlucky enough to be stung by a Weeverfish, the organisation said pain would be immediate, intense and burning. 'The pain is most intense in the first two hours and can result in swelling, numbness and warmth,' they said. If a lifeguard is available on whatever beach you are on, seek their assistance immediately. The affected limb or wound should be submerged in HOT water – as hot as you can handle – for up to 90 minutes or until the pain eases. Should the wound be on your foot, it's advised to put both feet in the hot water just in case the affected one becomes numb. With the temperatures set to soar in the coming days, beach-goers are being warned of an unassuming small fish which could result in an 'absolutely horrendous' sting. Pic: Shutterstock Cold applications are thought to make the pain worse, and while paracetamol can be taken to relieve the pain, great care should be taken to ensure you don't get burnt by the hot water, due to the pain killer potentially masking the temperature of the foot bath used. The NPIC said the puncture site should also be examined. Spines can embed themselves into the wound, and should be removed. Social media users took to the comments to regale their own horror stories of standing on the tiny fish, with one saying they had wished their foot was 'amputated' following the sting. Pic: Getty Images They added: 'Seek medical attention from a doctor as a tetanus and/or antibiotics may be required. 'Call the NPIC on 01 809 2166 if you stand on a Weeverfish.' Social media users took to the comments to regale their own horror stories of standing on the tiny fish, with one saying they had wished their foot was 'amputated' following the sting, the pain was so bad. 'Yep, didn't know what these were until I stood on one last year. Absolutely horrendous. Wear swimming shoes,' one advised, 'Lifeguards at Brittas Bay were so relaxed as they put the kettle on for me, which was reassuring – they have seen it many times!' Another echoed: 'Stepped on one of these on Achill Island it's not fun! Thankfully the lifeguards knew what it was straight away and stuck the kettle on.' A third shared: 'For such a small fish, you'll wish your foot was amputated! Hot water first for both feet, so you know you can stand the temperature, as hot as you can take it. Then take the painkillers and hope you don't stand on a Weeverfish ever again.'
Dublin Live
09-07-2025
- Health
- Dublin Live
Poisonous fish Dublin beach warning ahead of Ireland heatwave
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Ahead of the expected heatwave in Dublin over the coming week, beachgoers have been issued an important warning about a dangerous fish. With temperatures expected to hit up to 28C by Friday, Dublin's coastlines are sure to be packed with people soaking up the sun. While many of us track the tide for swimming, it should also be watched for safety. The Weeverfish is common on Irish beaches that have sand, and can pose a major pain risk. They can usually be found in the 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 difficult to see because they spend most of their time buried under the sand. On their dorsal fin they have sharp spines containing venom. So if you step on one accidentally, you're in for a tough time according to the National Poisons Information Centre of Ireland. What to expect Standing on a Weeverfish results in immediate intense, burning pain. The pain is most intense in the first 2 hours and can result in swelling, numbness and warmth. (Image: National Poisons Information Centre, Ireland) What to do 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 Weeverfish. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
