How long does pain last after sea urchin sting?

Once spines are removed, pain may continue for days; pain beyond 5 to 7 days should trigger suspicion of infection or a retained foreign body.

What does sea urchin sting feel like?

The most common symptoms for a single, shallow-water sea urchin puncture include: Swelling in and around the area where you were stung. Redness around the spine’s entrance point. Sensitivity or pain.

What do you do if you get poked by sea urchin?

Immerse the affected area for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as the injured person can tolerate, (110-130 degrees Fahrenheit). 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.

How painful is a sea urchin sting?

Sea urchin stings are immediately painful. They often leave puncture wounds on the skin, which can easily become infected if not treated immediately. The stung area may become red and swollen. If the skin is punctured (which is common), the puncture site is often a blue-black bruised color.

Are red sea urchins poisonous?

Most sea urchins can be carefully handled by humans without harm, however the poisonous spines of the long-spined sea urchins found in south Florida and elsewhere can penetrate human skin and break off causing infection and, in some cases, the need for surgical removal of spine fragments.

Do you pee on a sea urchin sting?

Soak the affected area in vinegar for 15-30 minutes – NOTE – with stings from a Portuguese Man of War (these are not jellyfish but are often mistaken for them) – do not use vinegar (or urine) as it will make the pain worse.

Is it okay to leave sea urchin spines in your foot?

If left untreated, sea urchin stings can cause a number of serious complications. The most common is infection from the puncture wounds, which can become serious very quickly. Any spines broken off within the body may also migrate deeper if not removed, causing tissue, bone, or nerve injury.