What is what to do when you step on a sea urchin?

Stepping on a sea urchin can be a painful experience. Here's what you should do:

1. Immediate First Aid:

   • Remove Visible Spines: Carefully remove any spines that are easily visible and accessible with tweezers. Be gentle to avoid breaking them further.
   • Clean the Wound: Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. This helps prevent infection.

2. Dealing with Embedded Spines:

   • Don't Panic: Deeply embedded spines are often difficult to remove completely and attempting to dig them out can cause more damage.
   • Soak the Area: Soak the affected area in hot (but not scalding) water for 30-90 minutes several times a day. This may help to soften the skin and allow the body to expel the spines naturally. Adding Epsom salts to the water can also help.
   • Vinegar Soak: Soaking the area in vinegar may help dissolve the spines, as they are calcium-based.

3. Pain Management:

   • Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage the pain.

4. Monitoring for Infection:

   • Watch for Signs of Infection: Keep a close eye on the wound for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, pus, or fever. If any of these occur, seek medical attention immediately.

5. When to Seek Medical Attention:

   • Difficulty Breathing: If you experience difficulty breathing or any allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention.
   • Numerous Spines: If you have numerous spines embedded in your foot or hand.
   • Deeply Embedded Spines: If spines are deeply embedded near a joint or tendon.
   • Signs of Infection: As mentioned above, if you notice signs of infection.
   • Persistent Pain: If the pain persists despite home treatment.
   • Allergic Reaction: If you experience an allergic reaction such as hives or swelling.

6. Things to Avoid:

   • Avoid Picking Excessively: Avoid excessive picking or squeezing of the area, as this can increase the risk of infection.
   • Avoid Unproven Remedies: Be cautious of unproven remedies or folk cures. Stick to recommended treatments.