Overview
- East Riding of Yorkshire Council has installed posters and issued social media alerts after discovering weever fish burying themselves in sand along local shores.
- Weever fish use camouflaged bodies and inch-long venomous dorsal spines that deliver pain described as ten times worse than a wasp sting.
- Rosie Bullard, who runs a first aid station in Hornsea, treats around two children weekly for weever stings and recommends waterproof shoes to prevent injuries.
- The NHS advises rinsing stings with seawater, removing any spines with tweezers or a bank card edge, and soaking the affected area in hot water for at least 30 minutes.
- Anyone experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or seizures should seek immediate A&E care without driving themselves.