The peak occurred on Saturday and Sunday, when lifeguards from various Cagliari beach resorts repeatedly had to assist swimmers at Poetto beach by weever fish, better known as aragne. Thus, the constant flow of basins filled with very hot water did not go unnoticed. Immersing the affected area is the first remedy for easing the pain. But why this resurgence? There's an accomplice: the mistral wind.
Daniela Fadda, a microbiologist who was present at four of the episodes, explains. She loves diving with a mask and fins, armed with a camera, and even captured some specimens just a few meters from the shore. "Weever fish, known in Cagliari as aragne, have a camouflaged body that allows them to hide under the sand, leaving only their head and dorsal fins exposed. The first dorsal fin, black, is equipped with seven spines connected to venom glands. In summer, aragne come closer to the shore, especially during the warmest hours and in calm seas, but they are more common after days of mistral winds. This wind pushes cooler bottom waters toward the coast (upwelling), stirring up the sand and forcing smaller fish to seek shelter near the shore. These events create favorable conditions for weever fish, which find shelter and, above all, an abundance of prey on the shore."
So you just have to put one foot wrong and you get stung.
A weever sting is extremely painful. "Initially, you feel a slight sting that intensifies in proportion to the amount of toxin transmitted, so the most serious stings are caused by large specimens and by multiple spines," Fadda continues. "The venom injected by the spines causes sharp pain, which can be accompanied by swelling, redness, and sometimes nausea or dizziness. In rare cases, respiratory distress and an increased heart rate may occur. Although the venom is not lethal, the possibility of infection (the spines must be removed) and the blackout or panic reaction that such pain can cause if you are swimming should never be underestimated." Immediate remedy? "In the event of a sting, the first and most effective remedy is to quickly immerse the affected area in very hot water, as the heat inactivates the venom proteins. It is also helpful to thoroughly disinfect the wound and remove any spine fragments. In case of severe reactions or systemic symptoms, it is necessary to consult a doctor, who can administer analgesics or, in more serious cases, specific therapies. Tricks to avoid stings? "The only effective precaution is the use of rock shoes or sandals."
