{"id":3850,"date":"2026-06-12T13:37:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T13:37:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=3850"},"modified":"2026-06-12T13:37:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T13:37:55","slug":"seaweed-invasion-in-florida-is-more-than-annoying-it-carries-health-risks-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orlandorelocationreport.com\/?p=3850","title":{"rendered":"Seaweed invasion in Florida is more than annoying. It carries health risks too."},"content":{"rendered":"

The beaches of Florida\u2019s east coast are currently clogged with bristly, stinky and downright annoying piles of seaweed known as sargassum.<\/p>

Read more Hurricane center gives low chance system could form in Gulf<\/a><\/p>\n

To get in the water, you need to stride through and sometimes swim within the seaweed. Even if you stay on the sand, you may have to endure the stench.<\/p>\n

Beyond being annoying, the masses of organic matter can be home to things that sting and give you a rash. They can also release harmful gases.<\/p>\n

Sea creatures, stingers and rashes<\/h4>\n

Though sargassum, which forms far out to sea and offers shelter for baby fish, shrimp, crabs, jellyfish and other creatures, some of the sea life can mean problems for people when it washes ashore.<\/p>\n

Jellyfish and jellyfish larvae sometimes get tangled in the seaweed, and their tentacles can really hurt and cause severe skin irritation, rashes and blisters.<\/p>\n

The tiny larvae of thimble jellyfish can be in the seaweed as well. They\u2019re known to get trapped between your swimsuit and skin, resulting in a rash known as \u201cseabather\u2019s eruption.\u201d<\/p>\n

The small crabs and shrimp in the sargassum, which attract sea turtles and mahi mahi offshore, also can attract stingrays inshore. Stepping on one could result in a painful, venom-laden puncture wound.<\/p>\n

Ew, that smell<\/h4>\n

After about 48 hours on the beach, sargassum starts to decay and can produce hydrogen sulfide and ammonia gases. Hydrogen sulfide smells like rotten eggs and ammonia gives off notes of urine, sweat or dead fish.<\/p> \n

Neither are particularly good for you. Both can cause respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological impacts, depending on how long you\u2019re exposed and the concentration of the gas.<\/p>\n