Gulf Coast vacationers are being cautioned to steer clear of fireworms, a marine species with a sting likened to fire, after one was spotted on a Texas beach.
Jace Tunnell of the Harte Research Institute shared the warning, noting an 8-inch-long fireworm among his recent finds north of Mustang Island State Park.
“Each week we cruise the beach and share 20 to 30 photos of the most interesting finds — and this week did not disappoint!” Tunnell wrote. “The wildest find of all? An 8-inch-long fireworm… beautiful, but look, don’t touch!”
Despite his advice, a photo showed him holding the creature, with a caption reading, “Do what I say, not what I do… lol.”
The worm’s white, toxin-filled bristles break off upon contact, embedding in the skin and causing a burning sensation that can last hours, along with potential dizziness and nausea.
“It literally feels like fire for about three hours,” Tunnell said in a posting about the fireworms last year. “If you touch it, (the bristles) get stuck into your skin very easily.”
Sensitivity at the sting site may persist for weeks, according to the institute.
Native to the Mediterranean and Atlantic, fireworms are rare in the Gulf of Mexico but pose a minor threat. Treatment involves vinegar or isopropyl alcohol, removing bristles with tweezers or tape, and applying hydrocortisone cream, per WebMD. Though not deadly, the sting can disrupt a beach day.
The worms, typically found near coral reefs, were seen feeding on gooseneck barnacles during Tunnell’s survey.
Tunnell’s encounters are documented on the institute’s YouTube channel for those intrigued by coastal critters.