Thousands of people have been stung by bluebottles on Queensland’s Gold and Sunshine Coasts over the weekend.

Almost 1000 people were stung in a matter of hours yesterday afternoon alone after the jellyfish swarmed the shores.

Unusually strong northeasterly swell conditions pushed the bluebottles onshore, forcing lifesavers to close several beaches.

#CLOSED – Lifesavers have closed #Coolangatta Beach due to bluebottles. Please stay out of the water.

— Surf Life Saving QLD (@lifesavingqld) January 6, 2019

#BLUEBOTTLE Lifesavers are responding to a number of bluebottle stings today across the #GoldCoast and #Sunshine Coast. Lifesavers are currently treating a 14 year old male with hot water after a blue bottle sting. #QAS has been called. Patient is in a stable condition.

— Surf Life Saving QLD (@lifesavingqld) January 6, 2019

Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Peta Lawlor tells John Stanley lifesavers treated more than 2600 people for stings.

Ms Lawlor says if you are stung, use hot water first and then ice.

“Our treatment is to wash it off straight away and… our preference is to pour seawater or water over it straight away.

“You can pick them off with the pads of your fingers but you may get stung as well.

“Get in hot water, a hot shower… as hot as you can deal with it, and then we apply ice.”

She says if you’re stung and begin to experience breathing difficulties, it’s important to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

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