While a gorgeous purple creature known as a Portuguese man-of-war might wash up on the beach, it is crucial that you avoid touching it—and absolutely do not try to lick it! One social media influencer infamously made the terrible mistake of licking one of these “cute” but highly venomous animals, resulting in severe physical consequences.
Despite the mesmerizing beauty of their bright blue and purple coloring, these marine organisms are incredibly hazardous to human health. Visually, the creature resembles a floating, colorful bubble with long, dark purple tentacles extending beneath the surface.
The true danger lies within those trailing tentacles. They are packed with venom and are capable of inflicting a fiercely painful and potentially critical sting. You must steer clear of them even if they wash ashore and appear completely dead, because their venomous stinging cells can remain active and dangerous for several days after leaving the water.
A sting from this deceptively fragile-looking creature can trigger a range of severe medical symptoms, including:
- Painful, blistering red welts
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Shock
- Cardiac complications
- Paralysis
- In extreme and rare cases, death
If you are unlucky enough to be stung by a Portuguese man-of-war, do not listen to the old beach myth—resist the urge to urinate on the wound! Instead, you should seek professional medical assistance immediately to properly neutralize and treat the venom.