Stuck by long-needle urchin - do I need to get the tip out?

[Anonymous]

The title says it all. The tip of a long needle urchin is burried pretty deep into the tip of my finger. It does not seem to be that big of a deal. However, I don't think I can remove it without some minor self-surgery. Any harm in leaving it in until it works it way out or disolves (assuming that it will disolve)?

 

[Anonymous]

I'd contact Steve Allen over on WetWeb - he's the "crew doctor" ("Dammit, Jim! I'm a doctor, not a magician!") and seems to be very well-versed in such matters. I'd expect a possible infection.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Maybe I will try an contact him.

It is odd. I cannot feel the tip, but the area under the skin is very dark (blackish). Perhps there is no tip, but the urchin injected something. I am at work so I don't have access to my books - otherwise I would just look it up. Again, I am assuming it is no biggie, but I thought I would ask the question.

 

[nice1bruva]

Thanks, Maybe I will try an contact him.

It is odd. I cannot feel the tip, but the area under the skin is very dark (blackish). Perhps there is no tip, but the urchin injected something. I am at work so I don't have access to my books - otherwise I would just look it up. Again, I am assuming it is no biggie, but I thought I would ask the question.

.....you may even want to seek medical advise....take along the latin name of the offending urchin..or a photo

 

[Fl_Seagull]

A Diver friend impaled his hand with multiple spines while diving for lobsters down around Cozumel, Mexico.

His story is that the spines dissolved by the next day. The medical advise he got was to leave them alone and the body will take care of it. Sure enough, the black spines became red lines by the next day and then slowly faded away over the next week. No infection, no ill effects. However, his ability to grab lobsters was impaired for that dive day .

Still, I would seek medical attention if you suspect infection.

 

[Anonymous]

When I was exploring in Puerto Rico quite some years ago I got nailed badly by a bristleworm, on the back of two fingers. The bristles and effects lasted for several years, VERY uncomfortable, just like having insulation stuck in you, but a bit worse.. more like those hairy cactus. :|

 

[GSchiemer]

You probably don't have the actual spine in your finger. The spine leaves behind a black stain that appears to be the actual spine. It will disappear in a few days. Unfortunately, I know about this from first hand experience.

 

[Anonymous]

You probably don't have the actual spine in your finger. The spine leaves behind a black stain that appears to be the actual spine. It will disappear in a few days. Unfortunately, I know about this from first hand experience.

This is what I was beginning to think. Thanks for verifying this.

 

[brahm]

You probably don't have the actual spine in your finger. The spine leaves behind a black stain that appears to be the actual spine. It will disappear in a few days. Unfortunately, I know about this from first hand experience.

This is what I was beginning to think. Thanks for verifying this.

'


I second that, stupid long spine I think i got stuck maybe 5-6 times

 

[tenshi]

My father-in-law (which is an old time fisherman) says you need to have someone urinate on it. Something about the uric acid in the urine. He told me once he stepped on one once and that it hurt like hell. Luckily, he says his friends were with him and they all took a turn at it. He said it felt great!!! He says it also works for jelly fish. Can you imagine that your walking along the shore and you see a bunch of guys pissing on another guys foot!! :lol:

P.S. Seek medical help. I've heard of people getting infections from from stingray barbs and getting scrapped on corals while surfing or diving, so I would think this is not to far from that.

 

[DaisyPolyp]

My father-in-law (which is an old time fisherman) says you need to have someone urinate on it. Something about the uric acid in the urine. He told me once he stepped on one once and that it hurt like hell. Luckily, he says his friends were with him and they all took a turn at it. He said it felt great!!! He says it also works for jelly fish. Can you imagine that your walking along the shore and you see a bunch of guys pissing on another guys foot!! :lol:

P.S. Seek medical help. I've heard of people getting infections from from stingray barbs and getting scrapped on corals while surfing or diving, so I would think this is not to far from that.

8O

 

[srbayless]

Peeing on an urchin "sting"?!!! That is a first. As I recall, urchins do not have poisonous spines, so there shouldn't be a need to pee on the wound to counter act any toxin.

Now jelly fish are another story. I believe the alkaline nature of urine helps "break down' the toxin found in jelly fish. Also on that note, if you get stung by a lion fish, immerse the wounded area in very warm water. The hotter the better from my understanding. The heat breaks down the venom.

It does sound like you have a puncture wound, and not the actual spine imbedded in your finger. I would worry about infection, so keep it clean, bandaged, and use an anti-biotic ointment such as neosporin.

I'm not a doctor, but I do play one at home

Peace,

Scott.

 

[tenshi]

As I recall, urchins do not have poisonous spines, so there shouldn't be a need to pee on the wound to counter act any toxin.

As I said, my father in law told me this, it's never been personally tested. But it might work a little since the spines of the urchin are made of calcium; and since uric acid is present in urine and it desolves calcium it should work a little. I can't see it really disolving a spine though, you'd need a line of about 200 drunk sailors to disolve a spine I would think. Oh yeah, I told him to seek medical attention too. The Urine story was for entertainment only.

 

[Anonymous]

The blackened area is pretty much gone by now. If the tip of the needle is actually in there, it is either very small or very deep. I suppose I should try and cut it out just to make sure I don't get an infection. I will let you know what I find.

 

[NYSharkLady]

I've also heard that story about urinating on it, but I wouldn't do it!! There's too much of a chance that there's viable bacteria in that persons urine...and I've seen some pretty weid stuff come out of urine! (Microbiologist)

I was stuck by a long spines purple ringed urchin years ago and I got a bit sick from it, and then when I was in Jamaica for my honeymoon I was stuck by a short spined green/white urchin. I went to the nurses office and got a needle and some rubbing alcohol and dug them out of my foot by myself. It's MUCH less painful if you do it yourself IMO.

If it's in a place that's not used too much just leave it alone. I chose to dig them out of my foot (for obvious reasons) and out of my hand b/c they were in most used places.

Don't forget to disinfect!! Betadine/iodine/alcohol/JD!!

Good Luck!!

 

[Anonymous]

Urine from healthy individuals is sterile, and should only pick up bacteria present on the exterior of the urethra (unless we're talking a really dirty pecker here) and exterior of genitalia. Your hair is far dirtier than your pee! 8O

Urine works very well on many stings, the most common of which I've had experience with are wasp and bee stings.

 

[DaisyPolyp]

Urine from healthy individuals is sterile, and should only pick up bacteria present on the exterior of the urethra (unless we're talking a really dirty pecker here) and exterior of genitalia. Your hair is far dirtier than your pee! 8O

Urine works very well on many stings, the most common of which I've had experience with are wasp and bee stings.

I also have heard that urine is sterile... though I don't think that would comfort me if I was being pissed on.

 

[Anonymous]

Hee! You got THAT right! And like the lady said, "You can pee on my leg, but don't tell me it's raining!"

 

[Mihai]

If you read "Reef Invertebrates" by Fenner and Calfo, there is a story there about a spine of an urchin coming out of a finger on the other side a couple of years later. And yes, some urchins are venomous (and poisonous) [same book].

Regards,
Mihai

 

[Anonymous]

I think a trip to the Doctor would be wise.