The following types of jellyfish can be found around UK waters:

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• Barrel jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus

• Moon jellyfish Aurelia aurita

• Compass jellyfish Chrysaora hysoscella

• Lion's mane jellyfish Cyanea capillata

• Blue jellyfish Cyanea lamarckii

• Mauve stinger Pelagica noctiluca

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We can also see floating colonies of hydrozoans:

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• By-the-wind-sailor Velella velella

• Portuguese man o' war Physalia physalis

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and a variety of comb jellyfish:

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• Lobed comb jellyfish Beroe cucumis

• Sea gooseberry Pleurobrachia pileus

• Ribbed jellyfish Aequorea forskalea

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All jellyfish sting, its how they catch their food! however some are not powerful enough to penetrate our skin, like the most common jellyfish found around the UK, the moon jellyfish. Some give a mild irritating sting like the compass and blue jellyfish feeling similar to a nettle sting. Some are more harmful, like the lion's mane, mauve stinger and the Portuguese man o' war. If you see these jellyfish in the water or on the beach then keep yourself, pets and children at a distance. Jellyfish can still sting even when they appear lifeless on land.

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What to do if you get stung:

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• Rinse the area with salt water (not freshwater)

• Use a bank card and scrape the affected area - this can hep to remove the nematocysts (stinging barbs) within the skin

• Soak the area in very warm water (as hot as you can tolerate) for 30 minutes. Use a flannel or towel if you can not submerge the area.

• Take painkillers and antihistamine to reduce the pain and swelling

• Seek medical assistance if the pain does not go away or you have an allergic reaction to the sting. Just like a bee sting the venom from a jellyfish can, in rare cases cause extreme swelling (anaphylaxis) and will require medical assistance immediately. If you're in an emergency on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

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