If you accidentally step on a sea urchin or if you handle it awkwardly, you could get stung. Sea urchins are poisonous, so it is important to react promptly and treat the wound properly. If you get stung while out at sea, stay calm and follow these steps to avoid getting a serious infection.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Remove the Pins
Step 1. Recognize a sea urchin sting
If you want to treat the injury properly, you need to be sure that a hedgehog has stung you and not another marine animal.
- Sea urchins have a spherical shape and are covered with spines. They are found in seas around the world, but are more prevalent in warmer regions.
- They hide in rocky areas underwater and sting when they sense a threat. Most people get stung when they accidentally step on them.
- You can safely deal with and treat most stings on your own. However, if you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, nausea, chest pain, or signs of infection (redness and pus), you should see a doctor right away for proper treatment.
- You must seek medical attention even if you are stung near a joint, as surgical removal of the quills may be necessary in this case.
Step 2. Find out what the poisonous parts are
Sea urchins are spherical-shaped animals that live on the sea floor. While they are generally not aggressive, they can sting when stepped on involuntarily and release venom through certain parts of the body.
- Sea urchins release poison through their spines and pedicellaria.
- The quills cause puncture wounds and can get stuck in the skin; in this case they must be removed immediately after the attack.
- The pedicellarias are prehensile organs that are found between the spines and are used by the hedgehog to lock onto its target when it feels attacked. These too must be removed immediately, when you are stung.
Step 3. Remove the thorns
Once stung, you need to remove the quills very quickly, so as to absorb as little poison as possible.
- Use tweezers to pull out the protruding ends of the larger quills. Move them slowly so you don't break them, otherwise, if this happens, you should undergo medical treatment.
- You can also use hot wax to remove the thorns, especially if they are particularly deep and you can't get them out with a razor. Apply the hot wax to the affected area, wait for it to dry, and then remove it. The thorns should remain attached to the wax.
- If you don't remove the plugs properly, you may experience health problems in the long run. If you are unsure whether you have properly extracted all the fragments yourself, go to the emergency room.
Step 4. Remove the pedicels
Be sure to remove these as well to reduce exposure to the poison.
- These organs can be removed by spreading a shaving cream on the area and providing a normal razor shave.
- Be gentle when using the razor so as not to further irritate the wound.
Part 2 of 3: Wash the Infected Area
Step 1. Clean the wound with soap and water
As soon as you have removed the spines and pedicels, the first thing to do is to clean and wash the wound.
- You will certainly feel pain when cleaning the broken skin and you will feel it sting to the touch. So be prepared to cleanse despite the pain, or find someone who can help and assist you if you fear you won't be able to tolerate the discomfort.
- As an alternative to soap, you can use hydrogen peroxide or a Betadine solution.
- Rinse the area with clean water after washing.
Step 2. Do not close the wound
You don't have to use bandages or tape to seal the wound. You must make sure that any spines that have not been removed can come out of the skin freely to avoid bacterial infections and suffer the effects of the poison of the hedgehog.
Step 3. Soak the wound
To manage pain and minimize the chances of an infection, some people wet the wound after initial cleaning.
- One technique is to soak the wound in warm water. Make sure the water is hot, but not hot. Try to keep the injured area in the water as long as you can handle the heat. This will reduce the pain and loosen any thorns left in the skin. If you wish, you can add Epsom salts or a magnesium sulfate compound to the water to facilitate this process.
- Some people try a warm vinegar bath. Add a small amount of vinegar to a tub of warm water and soak the affected area for 20-40 minutes. Also in this case you can put Epsom salts in the water, to facilitate the exit of the most stubborn plugs.
Part 3 of 3: Treating the Injury and Pain
Step 1. Heal the wound before going to bed
Apply a small dressing to the wound before bed to avoid irritating it during the night.
- Place a cloth soaked in vinegar over the wound and wrap it with cling film. Close the plastic wrap with masking tape so that it fits tightly.
- However, make sure the dressing is loose; you don't have to squeeze it too hard and close the wound completely, otherwise the remaining quills will not be able to come off properly.
Step 2. Take antibiotics and pain relievers
To ward off possible infections and adequately manage persistent pain, you can spread antibiotic ointments and take non-prescription pain relievers. Make sure you follow the instructions on the leaflet for both types of drugs.
- Apply topical antibiotic ointment to the wound, which you can easily find in any pharmacy. You should always use it as a precaution, but it becomes especially important if you notice redness and swelling.
- Tachipirina and ibuprofen are great solutions to manage pain. You should take the indicated dose every 4-8 hours until symptoms subside.
Step 3. Check for signs of infection
While sea urchin injuries usually heal without complications when treated properly, remember that these fish are poisonous, so it's important to know how to recognize the signs of infection.
- Common signs of infection include redness, pus, swelling or warmth in the affected area.
- Seek medical help if the signs of infection don't go away within a few days.
- If you experience breathing problems or chest pain, the infection can be serious; in this case, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Advice
- It is a good idea to soak the tweezers in boiling water to sterilize them before use.
- If you can, ask a friend or loved one to assist you as you remove the thorns and clean the wound. The pain could be really severe, and you may have a hard time managing the procedure on your own.
- To avoid stings if you accidentally step on a sea urchin, you should wear rock shoes (anti-coral), especially if you are swimming in an area known to be populated by these mollusks.
Warnings
- See the emergency room immediately if you develop breathing problems or feel chest pain.
- If a thorn is stuck near a joint, it may need to be surgically removed. Consult a doctor rather than trying to manage the situation on your own.
