Sea Urchins

Clinical sign

•Sea urchins or urchins, sometimes called sea hedgehogs, are small, spiny, globular animals.
•There are c. 950 species, it was animal but in primitive shape

•2 defence mechanism

Spines
•inflict a painful wound when they penetrate human skin, but are not dangerous

Pedicellarines
•tiny, jaw-like structures that can clasp onto a diver’s skin and inject a painful poison

•Venom effects

–Severe pain, swelling and redness at puncture site
–Multiple deep puncture wounds may cause fatigue, weakness, muscle aches, shock, paralysis, and      
   respiratory failure. Death may occur.

*Neurotoxic
*Hemolytic 
*Suppresive effect on heart

(*animal study )

Treatment

•Immerse the affected area for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as the injured person can tolerate
•remove any large spines in the wound. If joint involved,need surgical removal.
•Remove the pedicellaria by applying shaving cream to the affected area and gently scrap with a razor.
•Antibiotic , Analgesic