Man-of-Wars Sting Kids on Fla. Beach

Cocoa Beach, Fla., lifeguards warned beach-goers to be alert after several children sought treatment for stings from Portuguese man-of-wars.

The lifeguards said emergency responders were called to treat several of the children and one 6-year-old girl was hospitalized, WKMG-TV in Orlando, Fla., reported Wednesday.

Brevard County Fire Rescue officials said a 14-year-old girl was temporarily unable to walk because of pain from stings on both her legs, although the girl was able to stand for a short time after the stings.

Orlando Dominguez, head of Emergency Medical Services and BCFR, said man-of-war stings are common this time of year because the invertebrates are brought to the state’s shores by storms that churn the ocean. He suggested bite victims use meat tenderizer or meat to neutralize a sting’s toxicity.