Sea urchin puncture wounds and stings can be painful and depending on location very painful. If there are signs that you or someone you’re with has had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), dial 911 to request an ambulance.
Immerse the affected area in hot water (as hot as can be tolerated) for 30-90 minutes or as long as you possibly can beyond that. Again, be careful not to burn your skin.
Any large spines should be carefully removed from the wound using tweezers. The small venomous organs (pedicellariae) can be removed by applying shaving cream to the affected area and using a razor blade to gently scrape them out. Scrub the wound using soap and water and then rinse it with fresh water. Do not close the wound with tape.
Aftercare:
Pain and swelling can be treated with painkillers, such as and ibuprofen. If the skin is red and badly inflamed, a topical antibiotic cream or ointment should be applied three times a day.
Typically the pain will subside in a few hours to few day’s depending on its severity. The spines will remain in the affected area for a few days to several weeks. We call it the Hawaiian Tatoo. Don’t worry they will disappear gradually.