Weever Fish First Aid

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weever

While at Kilmory Beach, my 5-year-old daughter and I spotted a weever fish as it buried itself in the sand, exposing its spines.

“Daddy, what was that?” she asked.

“It’s a weever fish. It hides under the sand with its spikes sticking up. It can hurt if the spines go into your skin. I got stung by one before.”

Naturally, she was curious about the painful sting I experienced at Camusdarach. Weever fish are common along the UK coast, especially in southern England, but I was stung on the West Coast of Scotland at Camusdarach, near Mallaig. They bury themselves to catch smaller fish while camouflaging from predators. Most stings occur in midsummer when more people are on the beach.

What does it feel like to be stung by a weever fish?

If you step on one, you might feel an initial cut-like sting that quickly turns into a painful burning sensation, similar to a wasp sting. Symptoms can include swelling, itching, and, in rare cases, severe reactions such as seizures.

If you are worried, but it is not an emergency but you feel it can not wait for the Dr’s surgary you can phone NHS 24 on 111. Expect to wait some time for the call to be anwered.

What is the first aid for a weever fish sting?

To treat a sting, immerse the affected area in hot water (as hot as tolerable) for 10-15 minutes to help neutralise the venom. If you can't submerge the area, use hot, wet towels instead. After the pain lessens, carefully remove any spines with tweezers. Vinegar or urine will not help, and you should seek medical attention for severe symptoms, such as a seizure.

Consider wearing beach shoes in shallow waters to reduce the risk of stings. Despite my experience with a sting, I wouldn’t miss out on beach days with my children, and I still enjoy splashing about barefoot.