If you have any question as to what it was in the
water that stung you, look for red, brown or purple
tracks on the skin in the print of the tentacles. The
site will itch, swell and throb, and the pain
usually travels up or down from the point of
contact. Severe stings can lead to stomach pain,
nausea, vomiting, a headache, muscle pain or
breathing or even heart problems.
The severity of the sting can change due to the
(be careful with children and the elderly), how
much of the skin was affected and for how long
washed up on a beach may still release venomous
stingers if touched.
STINGRAYS
There are many types of stingrays in Florida waters, but in the
Gulf of Mexico the most common types are the Cownose ray,
the southern stingray and the
Atlantic Stingray.
Stingrays are more of a problem
during the hot summer months, which
warm, shallow water, and are often found
resting on the sandy bottom, partially
Atlantic Stingray
Stingrays defend from predators by striking with
up your feet to walk while in the water always
along.
A large majority of stingray stings on our coast
are from a person stepping on them, which means
most stings are in the foot or ankle area.
Treatment for these stings is to soak the area in
fresh water as hot as a person can stand (around
110 degrees), and remove the barb with
be necessary, more than likely, and the site will be tender and sore for a few days at least.
life in Florida, but be cautious and know that the danger
does exist. If you have proven allergies to any stinging
creature, always carry an EpiPen® with you; and wear shoes
on land and water shoes at the beach, if you can.
We can still live in harmony with nature …
even the side of nature that bites.
42 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • November/December • 2020
Lion’s Mane
Southern Stingray
Cow
Nose
Stingray