This Is North Devon
07:00 - 28-August-2008
AN eight-year-old boy was left in agony after being stung by a Portuguese Man O'War.
It's believed Jonathan Asplin may have been attacked by the jellyfish-like creature as he swam in a rock pool near Woolacombe.
The incident left his leg covered in a painful rash.
Jonathan was on Combesgate beach with his mother Carolyn and grandparents Alan and Jen Forbes when he was hurt last Thursday.
He was swimming in a deep rock pool when he suddenly screamed in pain.
His grandfather carried him up the beach and the family took him to the minor injuries unit at Ilfracombe hospital.
At first the painful injury was treated with vinegar but after spending a night in agony Jonathan was later given a hydrocortisone cream and antibiotics.
Mum Carolyn said it was lucky that her son was wearing a short wetsuit that reached to his knee, or the injury might have been worse.
Nobody saw what caused the rash, but after research on the internet the family, who are on holiday from Kent, suspect a Portuguese Man O'War.
There have been a number of reports of the creatures in south west waters in recent days.
Their sting has been known to trigger fatal anaphylactic shocks.
The species is usually found in places such as the Florida Keys and Atlantic coast, the Gulf Stream, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.