What should you do if you spot or get stung by a Portuguese Man O' War?

Recent months have seen lots of Portuguese Man O' War washed up on beaches and spotted at locations across the Channel Islands.

The species look like jellyfish and are usually found in the warmer waters of the Atlantic, however it is believed that the influx in the area is down to strong winds and a change in temperatures.

Their stings can be very painful and, on rare occasions, can be fatal. So, what should you do if you spot or get stung by one?

• What to do if you spot one

If you see one, you should not attempt to touch it, but you should always report it. You can do this by contacting the numbers given below.

Swimmers are advised to stay alert and wear a full length wetsuit, and dog owners are advised to keep their pets on leads.

• What to do if you're stung by one

Pain from a Portuguese man o' war sting typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes, but there are things you can do to help alleviate the pain.

Carefully remove any tentacles from the skin - you can use vinegar to help with this. Then, wash the affected area with seawater (not fresh water).

Afterwards, soak the area in hot water - as hot as you can handle without burning the skin - to ease the pain. You can also purchase local anaesthetic gels and other forms of pain relief from a pharmacy.

If you're concerned about severe or lasting pain, or the affected area becomes infected, seek medical help. If you need immediate medical assistance, call 999.

Useful contacts:

• Jersey: Environmental Health 01534 445808

• Guernsey: Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services 01481 234567