Warning as sea creatures with 'painful sting' wash up on UK beaches

A UK coastguard has issued a major warning holidaymakers amid sightings of sea creatures with "painful" stings. Portuguese man o'wars have been spotted along the western coast of Wales after being pushed in-land by warm currents from the Atlantic. The marine animals, which closely resemble jellyfish, have distinctive balloon-like floats with crest-tails on top and can administer "extremely painful" stings to humans upon contact.

They are typically found in tropical and subtropical oceans but appear to have been carried by wind and currents to the UK coast, where they have previously been known to wash up during the autumn months. Following sightings on beaches in Pembrokeshire and Anglesey, the Rhosneigr coastguard has warned locals and visitors to "avoid touching them" in any scenario, as the man o'wars can still sting after they are dead.

Melissa Brown, who was out walking her dogs in Pembrokeshire when she spotted one of the marine creatures lying on the seafront, said she snapped and shared a photo "to make people aware that they were being washed in".

"I had never seen one in real life, so had to go and have a look," she told the BBC. "But I knew what it was and that it can still sting when washed up, so kept the dogs away.

In a statement released after multiple reports of man o'wars along the Welsh coast, Rhosneigr Coastguard told anyone in the area to "avoid touching them due to their extremely painful sting, even when the creature is dead".

"Sightings should be reported to the coastguard, and if stung, severe or lasting pain warrants immediate medical attention," a spokesperson added.

Marine biologist Ruth Chamberlain, of Project Jellyfish, said: "As the sea temperature increases, it's more likely we will see more of these sightings."

According to NHS guidelines, anyone stung by a man o'war or jellyfish should rinse the affected area with seawater, remove any spines from the skin using tweezers and soak the area in as hot water as can be tolerated for at least 30 minutes.

Contrary to popular opinion, Brits are advised against urinating on the sting, applying an ice or cold pack or touching any tentacles or spines with their bare hands.