Sea Urchin Poison Treatment

Sea urchins have two instruments capable of poisoning their victims. Most have spines can inflict puncture wounds and pass venom into a victim. Some urchins have pedicellaria, pincer-like structures that perform as jaws and let the urchin bite the victim. Regardless of how the poison is delivered, treatments should be conducted soon after the puncture or bite to prevent infections.

Damage Potential

• Urchin stings and bites aren't usually fatal to humans, but in rare instances, an urchin wound can cause a person to go into anaphylactic shock. Immediate medical attention is necessary if you begin to suffer from chest pain or difficulty in breathing. Spines can also get embedded in joints and cause severe infections and lesions. Left untreated, the spines will cause tingling and burning sensations and severe pain in the limbs, and possible paralysis.

Initial Treatment

• Treatment of any injury caused by an urchin should be conducted by a physician. Attempting to remove spines yourself can cause the spines to fracture within your skin. A physician will look for discoloration on the skin to help locate embedded spines. A pedicellaria embedded in the skin should also be carefully removed by a physician. Embedded pedicellaria can still pump toxin into the human body.

Other Treatments

• A physician will try to minimize a victim's pain by soaking the affected area in hot water. The wound will then be thoroughly cleansed with soap and water to help remove toxins. Surgery is sometimes required to remove spines deeply embedded into the tissue. Tetanus shots are usually administered to prevent an infection from developing at the puncture or bite site.

Medications

• Medications will be prescribed to help symptoms associated with an urchin sting or bite. Corticosteroids can help curb the itching that will develop around the affected wound. Hydrocortisone can help decrease inflammation around the affected area. Prednisone may also be prescribed as an anti-inflammatory to counter allergic responses. While over the counter medications can help alleviate pain symptoms (such as ibuprofen), a physician may prescribe stronger pain medications.

Follow-Up Care

• According to the Merck Manuals, soaking the area of the wound in vinegar or using vinegar compresses can help dissolve smaller spines. Warm compresses applied to the wound can help with pain. A physician may prescribe antibiotics if the victim develops signs of infection such as pus draining from the affected site, redness and swelling.