How to Remove Sea Urchin Spines

Sea urchins are small, spiny animals.

Sea urchins are spiny aquatic creatures that can live in shallow water just off high populated beaches. Stepping on a sea urchin is quite painful, and the spines can get stuck in your feet or hands. Without removal, the wound area can become infected. Some sea urchins are poisonous, so removing the spines is especially urgent if you aren't sure what kind of urchin you've stepped on.

Things You'll Need

• Hot water
• White vinegar
• Microwave
• Large bowl

Instructions

1. Fill a large bowl or soup pot with vinegar and microwave it until it is hot. It should be just tolerable when you touch it, but not hot enough to burn you.

2. Put your foot or hand in the bowl and let it soak until the water cools. If the spines are stuck in a body part that you can't put in the bowl, soak a rag in the hot vinegar and lay it over the affected area. Vinegar will dissolve most sea urchin spines.

3. Remove your foot or hand and rinse it under hot water in the bathtub. Examine the area to make sure you don't see any small black spots. If you do, repeat the vinegar soak until the spines are gone.

4. Visit your doctor if the spines are not broken off, are too large to dissolve, or won't dissolve fully. Your doctor may have to surgically remove the spines.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not pull on the spines, dig at the area with tweezers, or try to remove them in any way that disturbs the wound site. Sea urchin spines are barbed and you will not be able to pull them out.

References

• Scuba Doc: Contact Irritants/ Toxins
• African Surfer: Ask Mel