What To Know About Dangerous Fire Coral Before Your Next Beach Vacation

What does it feel like to touch fire coral? Sudden, searing pain. The burning persists until a rash starts to form, with raised welts and an itchy sensation. In the worst cases, this pain may actually induce vomiting. Contact with fire coral shouldn't be life-threatening — unless you have a serious allergic reaction — and symptoms vary from an annoying sting to a serious burn. No matter what the severity, you don't want to touch this stuff.

Technically, fire coral isn't actually coral, but a kind of branching colony of microorganisms. These organisms are "hydrozoans," related to jellyfish and, more specifically, the fearsome Portuguese Man o' War. Their colors range from yellow to brown, and they rest passively on the ocean floor, waiting for another life form to come along and touch it. You'll find them mostly in warm waters around the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Australia, East Africa, and equatorial zones. Unfortunately, such waters make for some of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, so fire coral is a persistent problem. You could easily add it to a list of sneaky dangers out there for snorkelers and scuba divers.

Naturally, you'll want to avoid touching fire coral in the first place. Divers shouldn't touch anything they can't identify. The bottom of the ocean is well populated by venomous species such as hard-to-see stonefish, the pleasant-looking blue-ringed octopus, and many varieties of sea urchins. Physical interactions with bottom-dwellers is also a double-edged sword; divers should never touch coral, as contact can damage or destroy it. If you're compelled to, say, kneel on the ground, find an area that appears clear and open, where marine life is unlikely to dwell.

If you do end up stung by fire coral, you should return to the surface immediately and find white household vinegar (via the Divers Alert Network). Treat the affected area with the vinegar, which should prevent the venom from spreading through skin and muscle tissue. However, be advised that the vinegar doesn't actually neutralize or reduce the toxins. The rash may blister, and any burning or itching will continue for several days at least. Don't be discouraged if the rash flares up again later since wound relapse is also common. While you're prepping yourself for an ocean adventure, here are ways beachgoers can stay safe in and out of the water.