Korean Job Discussion Forums

ellie · Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Location: Melbourne- Australia

has anyone ever stepped on a dark reddy brown spikey sea urchin? should i be concerned? i stepped on two- one on each foot. Its like a splinter. i cant get them out! am hoping the body will push them out. am also trying bandaid with salt under it?

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Sea urchins
Sea urchins look like pincushions filled with sharp needles. Stepping on a sea urchin or handling one can result in an intensely painful puncture wound. The spines are strong enough to penetrate a wet suit or puncture the soles of tennis shoes. If a spine breaks off in the wound, the wound can fester and become badly infected. Frequently a patient will have to have the spines removed surgically.
While some sea urchins can also inject venom through fang-like jaws, California sea urchins are not venomous. Some sea urchins produce a toxin during mating season that makes sea urchins dangerous to eat. Unless you know what you are doing, leave sea urchins alone.

http://www.calpoison.org/public/marine.html

Do as you please with this info!!
Do you have health insurance? Go see a doctor.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

If you just had the tip of it break off in your skin you dont have to worry too much. Your body will absord the material in a week or two.

The reason you cant pull them out is they are barbed and brittle.

Keep the wound area clean, treat with an antibiotic ointment and if infection arises go see a doctor.

Pangit · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Location: Puet mo.

When a jellyfish stings you, you can pee on it to make the pain go away. Try that.

ellie · Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Location: Melbourne- Australia

thanks for all the info. bugger I was swimming near rocks they are all over the rocks. I thought there might be a slight poison/irritation in the spike but didnt consider the barbed effect- thats why i cant get them out. was worried if i kept fiddlin would make it get an infection. thankyou

will head off to the doctor to have a look at. i hear that they arent open on the weekend and close 7.00-8.00 pm- bugger will try early morning. am in a little city. have seen one medical centre on tourist map- should or is there more? i think most doctors speak english?

Nowhere Man · Joined: 08 Feb 2004

Divers get urchined a lot.

They pour vinegar on the wound.

While I think that should work, I'd still try to get the splinter out.

Homer · Guest

Instead of listening to the various Dave MD's here...go to the docs when the clinic opens, bring a Korean friend with you in case you need translation.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Homer...I am speaking from experience...actually Laughing

I am speaking with 3 sea urchin spine tips broken off in various fingers and toes Embarassed

the advice is the same...keep area clean and wait...if an infection occurs visit a doctor...if not they usually are absorbed by the body in about a week Wink

Homer · Guest

Grotto,

Not doubting your experience man.

Just saying that a web forum might not be the best place to get medical advice... Laughing

ellie · Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Location: Melbourne- Australia

Thanks guys have had surgically removed- sounds dramatic Smile

two nurses held me down? I wasnt moving! -oh well their gone! am a fussy fart dont like foreigners in my body.

Twas difficult to find doctor- cant read. best way to communicate with work collegues is out of work via text message? so can be difficult to find the basics. thanks for all your ideas.

what did i learn?
1. when swimming bring your river runners or get some swimming shoes- I have noticed koreans wear these at leisure
2. carry some sort of first aid kit eg tweezers are good, needle, oh and dont forget the priority some sort of vodka- also good for lunch break Smile

he he

ellie