The port of Punta del Este was filled with jellyfish

Visiting the jellyfish is nothing new in Uruguay, but since November they have been the most frequent tourists on the beaches of Punta del Este.

In fact, the Uruguayan Jellyfish Observation Network (RAM), organized by Alicia Dutra, professor of biological sciences, has been following them closely for several weeks.

The teacher pointed out to Montevideo Portal, who saw with her students that “most of them would belong to the species Chrysaora lactea, which is a moderately poisonous jellyfish.” It is the most common of all and can be pink, transparent, or purple; It reaches 20 centimeters.

With 4 arms, a central mouth and many long tentacles around the circumference of the bell, it is difficult for the Lactea chrysaora do not touch anything in its path. If it’s your leg, it irritates your skin and burns you; nothing more.

“Habitually accumulate in the port area. These days there was also another species of aguaviva in Piriápolis which has less toxicity, ”he added.

In fact, on the Uruguayan coast, several types usually appear: escifomedusas, tapiocas and clock jellyfish (Hydromedusa), fisalia (siphon) and the cubic jellyfish. The most abundant are the hydromedusae, which never exceed 3 cm in diameter, but leave a tingling if touched.

The most spicy of all is the cubomedusa, (Tamoya haplonema), typical of tropical waters, which is why it only appears in summer.

It is rarer and less graceful in movement; looks awkward with a prism bell which reaches 15 cm in height. With four tentacles, it paws a lot in its path.

“Jellyfish and similar animals are very fragile organisms, they do not have a great swimming capacity and are carried by currents that are part of zooplankton. They are great predators of fish larvae or small crustaceans, but also are part of the diet of sea turtles, fish and shellfish», Explain on their website Valentina Leoni and Fabrizio Scarabino, teachers at the University Center of the Eastern Region (CURE),

If an aguaviva stings a person, the area should be washed with plenty of salt water. If the aguaviva had sticky tentacles, it is necessary to wrap the hand with a nylon bag, as if it were a glove, and remove everything that is stuck to the skin; then wash with salt water, without rubbing. “

“It is important not to use fresh water. If it hurts you can put ice in a nylon bag and support it in the region, ”Dutra said.

he fresh water “should never come into contact with stinging cells jellyfish that could have been on the skin, ”added the professor.

Dutra argued that “if the person is allergic and the burning sensation should go to the ER immediately. “” There are aguavivas that can give significant allergic reactions. If a child has been bitten in various parts of the body or if the skin becomes very red or swollen, medical consultation is necessary, ”he said.

In addition, he stressed that “it is important that rescuers have the jellyfish’s identity cards. So that the bather can recognize which jellyfish it is, if they have seen it, and get an idea of ​​toxicity and precautions to have”.