Sea Urchin Injuries

Sea urchins live on the bottoms of shallow oceans all over the world. Some urchins are flat and others are round, but all are covered with long spikes that they can imbed into the skin of other animals as a means of self-defense. Sea urchins are not aggressive and do not seek out human victims. Unfortunately, humans sometimes get hurt when they unknowingly step on the creatures or try to pick them up.

Pain

• The pain from injuries caused by contact with a sea urchin can become very intense 15 to 30 minutes after they are received and can last for several hours.

Spine Absorption

• Minerals make up 94 percent of a sea urchin's spine. Because of this, any spines left in the skin will be absorbed by the body and do not need to be removed.

Toxins

• Some sea urchin spines can contain neurotoxins and cardiovascular toxins.

Injury Avoidance

• Sea urchin injuries can usually be avoided by exercising care and wearing aqua shoes when walking in shallow water. Never pick up or intentionally disturb a sea urchin.

Symptoms

• Signs of a puncture wound caused by a sea urchin can include protruding spines, swelling, redness and pain. If many spines puncture a human, fatigue, weakness, muscle aches, shock, paralysis, respiratory problems and death can occur.

Call the Doctor

• If you have chest pain, trouble breathing or any signs of infection after contact with sea urchin spines, call your doctor. See a doctor for removal if a spine has entered a joint.