Now that June is here, more and more Brits are flocking to the seaside to get a refreshing dose of summer whenever they can as the warm weather continues. But a recent warning has encouraged beachgoers to keep their eyes peeled for spiny fish that lurk in the sand.
Weever fish can grow up to 30cm in length, and tend to be brown with a black fin and tail. They are found in coastal waters around the UK as they live in both the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, burying themselves deep in the sand to prey on smaller fish and shrimp.
Whilst people are not part of their diets, weever fish can hurt you; their fin contains venomous spines, which can sting if they come into contact with your skin. If you get stung by a weever fish, you may not immediately assume that's the case, as some people initially believe they have grazed themselves on a rock.
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The pain of a weever fish sting increases quickly, and may feel like a bee or wasp sting. As the pain of the sting intensifies and burns, it can spread to the limbs and last for hours, sometimes days.
If you have been stung by a weever fish, the area of the sting may swell, itch, feel numb, or become red hot and tight. You may also become nauseous and start to shake, with some recipients of the sting finding it causes joint pain, headaches, tummy cramps and increased urination.
Whilst most stings can be treated on the beach and do not pose a huge threat, some beachgoers can be allergic to the sting. In this case, you will require urgent care, with symptoms of an allergic reaction including breathing problems, heart palpitations, and reduction in blood pressure and consciousness.
If you find yourself stung by a weever fish, the best thing you can do is soak the affected area in hot water. This is because the venom injected by a weever fish is protein based, so submerging the area in hot water for 15 minutes essentially cooks and destroys the protein.
It goes without saying that the hot water should be safe and as hot as you can stand, so that you are comfortable and don't burn yourself. As the hot water cools, you should replace it.
Once the pain from the sting has subsided, you may be able to remove the spines from your skin with a tweezer. Continuing to soak the affected area can help reduce pain and swelling; if your symptoms worsen, seek medical help.
If you are stung, go to the lifeguard as soon as you can if there is one available. They can treat your sting with hot water and may suggest a trip to the hospital or your GP, but only in rare cases.
One way you can avoid being stung by a weever fish is by wearing water shoes, which can block the spines from entering your foot. However, if you find yourself paddling in the sea without shoes, it has been suggested that shuffling your feet along the sand will prevent you from touching the spine of the weever fish and greatly reduce your chances of being stung.
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