Stinging Centipede-like Creatures Appear on Texas Beaches

Whether you're seeking the sun on the beaches of Galveston Island or wanting to slip a little further south toward Matagorda Bay or even Corpus Christi and South Padre Island, Texas has some amazing beaches. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico make soaking up the sun and feeling the warmth on your skin the perfect antidote to "too much time at work".

And while a trip to a Texas Beach should be the perfect scenario for not having a care in the world, there is apparently a stinging creature that you now need to be on the lookout for. No, we're not talking about the jellyfish that sometimes ooze into our coastal waters. These stinging creatures are more about the land and the sand and they can sting you in places you'd rather not discuss in mixed company.

The creatures are known as Bearded Fireworms. That name should give you a good indication of the pain a sting from these centipede-like creatures can inflict. Unfortunately, scientists who monitor conditions along the Texas beaches tell us that there has been a recent influx of these creatures, and contact with them can certainly put a damper on your surfside fun.

According to reports a sting from one of the bearded fireworks literally feels like your skin is burning. The pain lasts for about three hours and can sometimes be so intense it can cause nausea and vomiting. The sting site also remains very sensitive to the touch for several days after the encounter as well.

Normally, the creatures don't make it to shore. But the past few days researchers have noticed more and more of them showing up on the sand. You might also encounter them on pieces of driftwood or other ocean debris on the beach. The worms feed on barnacles and other sealife and it's in these "feeding areas" you're most likely to have an encounter.

If you do get stung experts suggest you cover the affected area with a piece of tape and then pull the tape off quickly. This should remove any bristles from the creature that might still be in your skin. Then wash the affected area with vinegar or isopropyl alcohol. This should diminish the sting and protect your skin.