What Does the Purple Beach Flag Mean? The Hidden Ocean Warning Most Swimmers Ignore

Burning pain
Red welts
Swelling
Itching
Numbness

What to Do:

Remove tentacles carefully with tweezers
Use hot water immersion for pain relief
Seek medical help for severe reactions

Important:

Never rinse jellyfish stings with fresh water immediately. It may worsen the sting.
2. Stingrays

Stingrays hide beneath shallow sand near shorelines.

Most stingray injuries happen when swimmers accidentally step on them.
Symptoms:

Sharp puncture wound
Severe throbbing pain
Swelling
Bleeding

Treatment:

Soak the wound in hot water
Clean thoroughly
Seek medical attention to prevent infection

Prevention Tip:

Do the “stingray shuffle” by sliding your feet through the sand instead of stepping normally.
3. Sea Lice

Sea lice are tiny jellyfish larvae that become trapped under swimsuits.

They’re common in warm coastal waters.
Symptoms:

Intense itching
Rash under swimsuit areas
Red bumps
Burning skin irritation

Prevention:

Shower immediately after swimming
Remove wet swimsuits quickly
Wash swimsuits thoroughly