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May 25, 2013
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Wilderness: Sea Urchin Puncture (cont.)

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Sea Urchin Puncture Treatment

  • Immerse the affected area for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as the injured person can tolerate. Repeat as necessary to control pain.


  • Use tweezers to remove any large spines in the wound.


  • Remove the pedicellaria by applying shaving cream to the affected area and gently scrap with a razor.


  • Then scrub the wound with soap and water followed by extensive flushing with fresh water.


  • Do not close the wound with tape or glue skin.


  • If signs of infection, such as pus, redness, or heat occur, apply topical antibiotic ointment and call your doctor, who may prescribe antibiotics. If the patient is started on antibiotics, continue to take them until the patient has used the entire course of the medication. Talk to the doctor about antibiotics and sun sensitivity.


  • Relieve pain with the recommended doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol) pain relievers every 4 hours and/or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) every 6-8 hours.

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Echinoderm Envenomation »

The phylum Echinodermata includes a diverse group of marine animals that are slow moving and nonaggressive, including brittle stars (class Ophiuroidea), starfish (class Asteroidea), sea urchins (class Echinoidea), and sea cucumbers (class Holothuroidea).

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