More Portuguese Man O' War Pop Up On New Jersey Beaches

STONE HARBOR, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- More Portuguese man o' war are making their way onto New Jersey's beaches, officials said.

Beachgoers discovered one of the dangerous creatures in Stone Harbor on Sunday, NJ.com reported.

The first reported sighting was last week in Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island and more have been found throughout southern New Jersey's coastline. Surf City Councilman Peter Hartney says more than two dozen man o' wars have washed up on his town's beaches.

"Our water has been really warm, unlike it usually is in June when it's cool, and they drifted up on the Gulf Stream and the water was warm enough to support them," Hartney told 1010 WINS. "So when the wind changed, they just blew on shore."

Surf City's lifeguard captain said the last time he remembers a significant amount of man o' wars washing ashore was 15 years ago, Hartney said.

Their venom-filled tentacles can grow as long as 30 feet and cause severe pain to humans, leaving welts on the skin that can last for days. In extreme cases, their venom can lead to fever, shock and respiratory problems.

Lifeguards said if you come across a man o' war, don't touch it. Even if it appears to be dead it can still sting you.

If you are stung by a man o' war, remove the tentacles from your skin, apply salt water to the affected area and follow up with hot water for 15 to 20 minutes -- it's been shown to ease the pain better than cold water.

Lifeguards said checking your surroundings is the best way to avoid man o' wars, jellyfish and other dangerous marine animals.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)