Spending spring break at a SC beach? Watch out for jellyfish, sea lice. What to know

It’s no secret that the beach is a top reason to visit Myrtle Beach.

But there are a few things you should consider before diving into the Atlantic Ocean. That includes what is allowed on the beach and what sea critters you should be aware of.

Here is what to know before spending a day out in the sun and sand.

Avoid these common beach injuries

Typical injuries people get at the beach include sunburns and sprains from running on the beach.

For sunburns, make sure to apply 30 SPF sunscreen often and keep an eye on the UV. The higher the UV rays, the quicker you burn. Apply sunscreen a minimum of once every two hours and try to stay under an umbrella between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Another beach injury is a sprained ankle from holes dug into the beach. If you or your kids dig holes, it’s the law that you refill them as people who aren’t paying attention can trip and hurt themselves or fall into one. Myrtle Beach does not allow people to dig holes deeper than 2 feet and they need to be refilled.

Sand holes also pose a risk for those inside them digging if they get too deep. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a 7-year-old girl died after the 5-foot-deep sand hole she was in collapsed, the Miami Herald reported.

Tom Gill, vice president of the United States Lifesaving Association, told the Miami Herald that sand holes should not be deeper than the knee of the youngest person. He also said being inside a large sand hole is more dangerous than being inside a damaged building.

Watch out for these sea critters

Most jellyfish found off the Myrtle Beach coast will not cause more damage than a painful sting. The most common jellyfish include cannonballs, sea nettles, mushrooms and sea wasps, also known as a box jellyfish, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Usually only a box jellyfish sting would require someone to be hospitalized.

There are various remedies to help with jellyfish stings, but across medical sites, the main recommendations are to rinse with hot water or salt water, apply vinegar, remove the stingers carefully and do not pee on it.

Sea lice are another problem. They’re baby jellyfish larvae that get stuck in hair or fabric and cause tingling or itching. Sea lice are found in the beach usually from April to July, The Sun News reported.

It’s also recommended to not wear a T-shirt while swimming, as sea lice can get stuck to the fibers. You should also not wear a bathing suit that hasn’t been washed or dried all the way, as it could still contain sea lice. You can use ibuprofen, antihistamines or ice packs to help with the pain and swelling.

Lastly, stay cautious of sharks, although being bitten by a shark is unlikely. Since 1852, around 50 people have been bitten and in the last three years, there have been three recorded shark bites, according to articles from The Sun News.

To avoid sharks, stay out of deep water, don’t swim if you’re bleeding, stay in a group and avoid splashing when possible.

What to bring

Bring sun protection, which includes sun screen, an umbrella and a beach cover up.

Beaches in the Myrtle Beach area do not allow tents for shade and umbrellas must be less than 7-and-a-half feet in diameter. Umbrellas must remain at or behind the established umbrella line, according to Myrtle Beach ordinances.

If you prefer to stay off the ground, bring a beach chair. Or, you can rent them at the beach or buy them at beach stores, the grocery store or even Goodwill. A blanket and towel to sit on is another great item to have.

Another item to throw in your bag is a large bottle of water. If you’re on the beach near Myrtle Beach’s Boardwalk, finding a shop to buy a bottle of water isn’t hard, but you may have to walk or drive a few blocks to a gas station or grocery store if you go elsewhere along the Grand Strand.

A cooler to keep water and food cold is allowed on the beach.

Unless you’re staying at a beach front resort, bring coins or a credit card. All parking meters take coins and many also take credit cards, according to the Myrtle Beach website. You can pay to park with an app on your phone.

There are plenty of parking lots located along Ocean Boulevard. Some are small and may only have five spaces, but you often only need to drive one to blocks to find another lot.

All beach access parking lots in the Myrtle Beach area are paid parking.

What to leave behind

If you were planning to enjoy a beer on the beach, think again. It’s illegal to have alcohol on the beach. It’s also illegal to have glass, so fancy sodas may also need to stay in the fridge.

Umbrellas are fine but tents are not, so leave them off the packing list. Fireworks would be a cool way to end a beach day, but they are not allowed on beaches, Myrtle Beach law states.

Motor vehicles, like cars and golf carts, are prohibited from being on the beach. Bicycles are also prohibited in many cities along the beach.