Man O’ War are back on Brevard County beaches.

The sting of the Man O’ War is very painful. If you see them in the water or on the beach, stay away from them.

As with all bites and stings, the victim should receive first aid immediately. Vinegar should be poured over the afflicted area and any adhering tentacles as soon as possible. Methylated spirit can also be used but vinegar has been found to be less painful to the victim.

No attempt should be made to remove the tentacles before they have been inactivated by the vinegar.

Do no rub the sting or apply sand to the area. Any attempt to remove the tentacles should be carried out with a towel or other heavy cloth. An anesthetic cream can then be applied to the affected area.

Usually the pain subsides within seven hours. However, if the reaction is severe, the victim should be taken to a doctor or hospital and powerful painkillers may be required. Some persons have been known to develop severe allergic reactions to a blue-bottle sting.

The Man O' War is named for its air bladder, which looks similar to the sails of the Portuguese fighting ship of the 14th and 15th centuries.

Red Tide Returns To Central Florida Beaches

Just in time for the holidays, the red tide is back in force in Volusia and Brevard counties.

New test results back on Wednesday show high levels of the toxic algae everywhere from Ponce Inlet to New Smyrna Beach to the Mosquito Lagoon.

Volusia County is also reporting some fish are washing ashore dead in some spots.

Red tide can also cause scratchy throats and coughing in some.

Anyone with respiratory trouble is being asked to avoid the beach for now.

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