Be prepared to work through the pain or have someone assist you if you're worried about not being able to tolerate the discomfort. ", enough to know all about what to do and have him soaking his foot in vinegar. Seek medical care if signs of infection do not clear up within a few days. In the event of a sea urchin sting, stay calm and follow protocol to avoid serious infection. References 8th ed. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Spines produce puncture wounds and can stay in skin. Sea urchins release venom through their spines and pedicellaria. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw Hill Companies; 2016. http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. 2017;35:321. Accessed Sept. 18, 2017. You should take the recommended dose every 4 to 8 hours until symptoms lessen. This content does not have an English version. Hope the spines will dissolve. You can submerge the wound in hot water. Cegolon L, et al. The most common world-wide first aid treatment used by the average lifesaver/lifeguard is the treatment of marine envenomation, especially the treatment of jellyfish stings. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. We were. Treatment for jellyfish includes first-aid care and medical treatment, depending on the type of jellyfish, the severity of the sting and your reaction to it. Keep the affected skin immersed or in a hot shower for 20 to 45 minutes. Thanks! The pedicellaria can be removed by applying shaving cream to the infected area and then scraping it off with a razor. Treatment should be directed at removing as many visible spines as possible. For tips on recognizing the symptoms of infection, read on! Soak the skin in hot water. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Auerbach PS. 2013;11:523. NOAA Ocean Service Education. An ice pack may help to relieve any pain. Once sea bather's eruption occurs (and you have taken off your swimming costume and showered), an application of diluted vinegar or rubbing alcohol may neutralize any toxin left on the skin. Toxins. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Disco II, 135K miles. Tylenol and ibuprofen are good choices to manage the pain. © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). To prevent irritation at night, cover the wound with a loose bandage before going to bed. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. 2013;61:253. It's a good idea to submerge the tweezers in boiling water to sterilize them before use or wipe thoroughly with alcohol on a swab or cotton ball. Use tweezers to pull out the protruding ends of large spines. The latest sea creatures to make headlines are naked sea butterflies, a shell-less species of sea snail that resemble little orange ice cream cones with wings. This article has been viewed 884,035 times. In: Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 5, 2017. Schedule your appointment now for safe in-person care. Accessed June 5, 2017. This article showed me how to care for the wound and, "I have a phobia for sea urchins, and now I know how to remove them, thanks. The most useful treatment Li L, et al. Seek immediate medical attention if you have multiple puncture wounds, fatigue, weakness, muscle aches, or difficulty moving your arms or legs. All rights reserved. Mix a small amount of vinegar in a tub of hot water and soak for 20 to 40 minutes. Immerse the affected area for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as the injured person can tolerate, (110-130 degrees Fahrenheit). First-aid care. Thanks for helping my sister! Standard first-aid treatment includes immersing the affected area in water that is as hot as can be tolerated. Treatment for jellyfish includes first-aid care and medical treatment, depending on the type of jellyfish, the severity of the sting and your reaction to it. Yanagihara AA, et al. Purcell JE. Divers Alert Network. Remember, you don't want to close up the wound completely as the remaining spines need to work their way out. Sea urchins lurk in rocky parts of the water and will sting if threatened. The spines should be pulled out with the wax. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Move slowly so that the spines does not break off, as medical treatment will be needed if this occurs. Hot wax can also be used to remove spines, if they are particularly deep and cannot be removed with a razor. She received her M.D. This article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD. Remove the sting by sliding or scraping your fingernail across it, rather than pulling at it. 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