A British holidaymaker was rushed for medical treatment after being stung by a venomous spider fish while paddling in shallow water on a Costa del Sol beach.

The 39-year-old woman was enjoying a day at Playa del Cristo in Estepona when she accidentally came into contact with the fish, which is known for its painful venomous spines.

Her father, Graham Fawcett, told the Spanish Eye that the incident happened as she was washing out her daughter’s bucket and spade in the shallows before heading home.

Initially, she believed she had simply stepped on something in the sand.

Graham said: ‘She said initially it was just a sensation that she had stepped on something, but after a few minutes when she went to the shower to wash off the sand, she said it was excruciating and broke down crying in pain.’

Fortunately, a nearby woman came to her aid and took her to a local medical centre for treatment.

Doctors treated her with antihistamines, anti-inflammatory medication and a painkiller injection, while staff also immersed the affected area in hot water for around 30 minutes, which is a common treatment for spider fish stings.

‘She recovered fine after the 30 minutes in hot water and having antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and painkiller injection at the ambulatorio, and tablets after that,’ said Graham.

‘Luckily with the treatment at the ambulatorio she was able to walk without pain the next day.’

The family, who were visiting the Costa del Sol on holiday, praised local healthcare staff for their response.

‘The ambulatorio were very good, they treated her with her UK Global Health Insurance Card,’ Graham said, while criticising the lack of lifeguards in the area who could have provided much-needed guidance.

Although spider fish are found in Mediterranean waters, sightings and stings are relatively uncommon and many beachgoers are unaware they can be hidden beneath shallow sand close to shore.

Graham said he had never heard of anyone being stung in Estepona before, although a doctor friend told him similar cases had been seen in clinics near Sotogrande.

He also wondered whether recent beach replenishment works could have played a role.

‘I wonder if the depositing of the new sand at Playa del Cristo may have increased the presence of this fish,’ he said.

The sting could easily have been much worse.

‘It’s really lucky her daughter didn’t tread on it,’ he added.

Experts advise anyone stung by a spider fish to seek medical attention and immerse the affected area in hot – but not scalding – water as soon as possible, as the heat helps break down the venom and reduce pain.

The incident serves as a reminder for beachgoers this summer to take care when walking through shallow water, particularly in sandy areas where the fish often bury themselves and remain almost invisible.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.