The spider fish is once again a protagonist on the beaches of Alicante. In July, the municipal rescue service recorded 440 cases of spiderfish bites and other 29 by jellyfish, which adds up 469 interventions related to marine fauna, more than fifteen a day. For more information, you can consult our article on the spider fish in Alicante.
The balance of the month also includes 2.446 assists of all types and 50 rescues in the water. Most of the bites were leves and were resolved with the usual treatment with Hot water, after an initial assessment of the beach first aid kits.
July's balance on Alicante's beaches
According to municipal data, the attention for bites they reached 469 cases in July, with 440 due to the spider fish and 29 to jellyfish. In addition, they were activated 31 external health resources for transfers to hospitals and were treated 7 cardiovascular emergencies (three cardiorespiratory arrests and four stroke codes), within the set of incidents of the month.
Beaches with the most incidents and deployment
The rescue operation is distributed daily among the first aid kits of The Postiguet, Saint John I and II, The Albufereta, The Almadraba, Urbanova, San Gabriel y Tabarca, where immediate attention is given to bathers.
The busiest areas —San Juan, Tabarca and El Postiguet— concentrate a good part of the interventions, something common in the summer season due to the increase in users and the greater presence of Spider fish near the shore.
Causes and prevention in water
The rescue service points out that many incidents at sea are due to recklessness with a yellow flagThe sea may seem calm, but there are currents which are not visible to the naked eye and make exit difficult.
The basic recommendations are: respect the signs, consult lifeguards, avoid disturbing sand where there may be buried fish and, if possible, use water shoes at water entrances and exits. For more details on how to reduce risks, visit our guide on How to prevent bites on beaches.
The most effective treatment is Immerse the affected area in hot water (around 45ºC) during 60–90 minutesThe spiderfish toxin is thermolabile, so heat helps to relieve pain and inactivate its effect.
If the pain persists or general symptoms appear, you should request medical assistance. It can be valued tetanus vaccination and the use of analgesics or antihistamines according to professional criteria.
The data collected shows that the Spider fish continues to be the main cause of attention in marine fauna in Alicante during July, with 440 cases and a response that combines prevention, rapid care, and heat treatment to reduce discomfort.