We are definitely not the only ones noticing more jellyfish on the beach.  Last week, the Post and Courier had two separate articles about jellyfish on Folly Beach and the Isle of Palms.  We have noticed more complaints of stings on our beaches, and it appears that there are even random tentacles in the waters.

According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources,

To some, jellyfish may appear to have no apparent value, but they are, in fact, a very important part of the marine food web. Jellyfish are carnivorous, feeding mostly on a variety of zooplankton, comb jellies and occasionally other jellyfish. Larger species, however, are capable of capturing and devouring large crustaceans and other marine organisms. Jellyfish are themselves preyed upon by spadefish, sunfish, sea turtles and other marine organisms.

The somewhat benign kinds of jellyfish in our waters are usually cannonball or mushroom jellies, which don’t sting much, moon jellies, which have a large bell and short tentacles, and comb jellies, which don’t sting at all.  The more venomous ones, and therefore more dangerous, include sea wasps and sea nettles, box jellies, and portuguese men-o-war.  These all seem to have been sighted at Kiawah and Folly Beach recently, so keep your eyes open here.

According to SCDNR, the following is the appropriate treatment for stings:

Primary first aid for any jellyfish sting should be to minimize the number of nematocysts discharging into the skin and to reduce the harmful effects of the venom.

If stung by a jellyfish, the victim should carefully remove the tentacles that adhere to the skin by using sand, clothing, towels, seaweed or other available materials. As long as tentacles remain on the skin, they will continue to discharge venom.

A variety of substances have been used to reduce the effects of jellyfish stings. Meat tenderizer, sugar, vinegar, plant juices and sodium bicarbonate have all been used with varying degrees of success. Methylated spirits and other forms of alcohol formerly recommended for inhibiting stinging cells actually stimulate them and may increase pain and cause severe skin reactions. Picric acid and human urine also cause a discharge of nematocysts and should not be used.

Victims of serious stings should make every effort to get out of the water as soon as possible to avoid drowning. If swelling and pain from more serious stings persist, prompt medical attention should be sought. Recovery periods can vary from several minutes to several weeks.