Sea urchins are also harvested and consumed as a delicacy in some locations around the world; commercial fishing and harvesting are considered a high-risk industry. Fishermen are more likely to suffer injury as they intentionally come into contact with the sea urchins.
Sea urchin spines are composed of calcium carbonate and are currently the only animals that can still see without having eyes. This is truly amazing as they instinctively use the cells in their feet to sense light. To avoid touching a sea urchin, mind your step, and avoid jumping into the shallow water from the shore or a boat if you do not have a clear view of the bottom.
For scuba divers, the tides and currents can cause you to brush up against the urchins, and yes, the spines can even puncture through neoprene so take good care to avoid them as much as possible. It is common for new scuba divers to be directed to kneel on the sandy floor-bed when practicing Open Water skills, so do exercise caution and always check where you are placing your legs and arms. You will wear these walking into the water, and when you are deep enough, you can lay on your back and put your fins on for the dive.
In the best case scenario of stepping on a sea urchin, the delicate spine will just break off and be embedded in your skin. It will be sensitive but not toxic. To encourage the spine to come out, you can soak your foot in clean, warm water. This will soften your skin and over time your body will push the non-toxic spine out. However, multiple deep puncture wounds from stepping on a sea urchin may cause severe injury, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as:.
A serious sea urchin sting may cause pain to the injury site leading to swelling and inflammation. Symptoms from a venomous sea urchin sting will lead to additional symptoms such as dizziness, breathing problems, chest pain, changes in heart rate, loss of consciousness, nausea, and vomiting.
In the worst-case scenario , the venom will enter the bloodstream and cause death. The calcium-filled spines that a sting can leave behind can be difficult to remove from the skin, so if you can, ask someone for assistance and be gentle to avoid the spines from breaking inside the skin. Anyone with allergic reactions to bites or stings should take extra precautions and get medical assistance immediately.
The following is a guide to help you known what steps to take if this should occur and is not intended to replace the possible need for medical care:.
Step 1: Immerse the area for 30 — 90 minutes in hot water. Sea urchin toxins are heat-labile meaning hot water immersion is very effective in reducing the pain. If you can not access hot water, try to source vinegar as this will help the spines dissolve, making them easier to remove.
Vinegar and hot water bath commonly use treatment to break down the spines so they can be successfully removed from the skin. Step 2: Remove the larger spines with tweezers use a magnifying glass if possible. Step 3 : Remove the smaller spines known as pedicellariae by scraping them carefully with a razor or a credit card. Step 4: Clean the wound with warm water and soap. Common Health Topics. Videos Figures Images Quizzes Symptoms. Commonly Searched Drugs. Bites and Stings. Test your knowledge.
If a patient who sustained blunt trauma to the face has anesthesia in the distribution of the mental nerve, which of the following is the most likely location of the fracture? More Content. Click here for Patient Education. Spine removal. Was This Page Helpful?
Yes No. Use tweezers to remove the large spines. You can use a razor to gently scrape out the pedicellariae. To manage initial pain after the sting, you can take over-the-counter treatments like ibuprofen Advil, Motrin or acetaminophen Tylenol. You can use topical antibiotic creams like Neosporin on the affected area at least three times a day. If the area is itching, you can use topical hydrocortisone cream. Stop using the hydrocortisone immediately and call your doctor if there are any signs of infection, such as:.
If you experience signs of infection at any point, seek immediate medical attention. If your doctor thinks a spine of the sea urchin may be left inside the body, they may use an X-ray to find its location and remove it.
Your doctor may recommend that you get a tetanus shot. If you have an infection, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics. Take the medication for the full course your doctor orders, even if your symptoms subside within just a few days. If the infection is severe enough, your doctor may admit you to the hospital for intravenous IV antibiotics. If left untreated, sea urchin stings can cause a number of serious complications.
The most common is infection from the puncture wounds, which can become serious very quickly. Any spines broken off within the body may also migrate deeper if not removed, causing tissue, bone, or nerve injury.
This could cause tissue death, joint stiffness, or arthritis. If you experience necrosis, or tissue death, go to the hospital immediately. Shortness of breath or respiratory failure can happen in rare cases. This requires immediate emergency treatment, including oxygen supplementation and possible ventilation.
Sea urchins are beautiful creatures, but like most animals in nature, they are best observed from afar. The stings can be severely painful and can cause a number of serious complications if not treated promptly. With treatment, the pain and symptoms should subside within five days.
Sea buckthorn oil has long been used in traditional medicine and may provide numerous health benefits.
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