In Reply to: sea urchin puncture... posted by JK on July 23, 2006 at 17:09:53:

You can probably see that there are several techniques. Definitely start by treating it as if it has venom, and use vinegar or some other sting treatment if it's hurting as if it's got venom on it.

Then treat as if it's a puncture wound: neosporin, peroxide, etc.

Dig it out if you can.

Don't worry about it if you can't. I had one come out of my arm about 6 months later, it surfaced in a pimple and I could push it out. I had forgotten it was in. This was a thick CA style spine. Thinner tropical spines dissolved on their own the few times I've had them (got shoved into a wall once by someone "swimming" in split fins in current.) They just look like little tattoo dots.

Redness, swelling, infection, injury site gets hot, smells bad, or if you have a fever, in general if it gets worse instead of better, treat as if it's infected and get proper help.

But if you weren't dead in the morning, you're probably OK.

A friend of mine fell on the strand, scuffed his arm. Nothing you would bother to treat or even mention. He got a systemic blood-poisoning infection. It was pretty amazing. His arm swelled up, he got a high fever, it was serious.

Don't listen to seahunt, he just likes peeing on people. ;-)