Brush with Sea Urchin.

[Jamdiver]

Hey all,

Quick question..
So last Sunday towards the end of a dive we're going through some swimthroughs and whilst exiting one. I brush up against a Diadema antillarum. I feel some discomfort and burning, luckily none of the spines had actually lodged themselves in my skin.
I do remember that when I applied pressure to the area, a black liquid was forced out.
This was at about 35-40ft.
So my question is was this some kind of dye that the Diadema injected into me or just blood (I know that reds are one of the first colors to go at depth)?
Furthermore what would have been appropriate treatment if the spines had actually lodged themselves in my skin. I've heard of using vinegar and urea from you know where .
The burning and redness went away a little while after I surfaced.

 

[MSilvia]

I don't know the species, but I'd guess blood.

 

[ScottZeagle]

I jumped out of a boat in shallow water in the Keys a few years ago, and landed on a whole mess of Urchins. The barbs were fully inbeded in my foot. I called a doctor I know, and he said that basically they would calcify and disolve, and there wasn't really much to do for it other than wait.

Kind of off you subject, sorry....I believe the black you saw was probably blood as well...

Scott

 

[Jamdiver]

Thanks all,

I basically did some research and answered my own question. The blackish liquid I saw was probably the release of a purple-violet colored fluid that stains the wound - and indicates penetrating injury.
You're correct about the treatment Scott just sit and wait, what spines can't be removed will break down over time..
Next time I'll be more careful I guess and get a full length wetsuit!

 

[ScottZeagle]

Next time I'll be more careful I guess

OH YEAH!! Me too!!!!

 

[Vie]

I jumped out of a boat in shallow water in the Keys a few years ago, and landed on a whole mess of Urchins. The barbs were fully inbeded in my foot. I called a doctor I know, and he said that basically they would calcify and disolve, and there wasn't really much to do for it other than wait.

Many years ago, a friend of my instructor was pushed out of a boat in shallow water as a joke by some friends. Unfortunately, he hit the water with his back and landed on “a whole mess of urchins.” His back was literally covered with urchin spines and the wounds quickly became infected—he had to be hospitalized that night with an extremely high fever (due to the infection) and was put on a course of antibiotics. Apparently he spent a couple of weeks in hospital!

 

[bottomrunner]

Hey all,

Quick question..
So last Sunday towards the end of a dive we're going through some swimthroughs and whilst exiting one. I brush up against a Diadema antillarum. I feel some discomfort and burning, luckily none of the spines had actually lodged themselves in my skin.
I do remember that when I applied pressure to the area, a black liquid was forced out.
This was at about 35-40ft.
So my question is was this some kind of dye that the Diadema injected into me or just blood (I know that reds are one of the first colors to go at depth)?
Furthermore what would have been appropriate treatment if the spines had actually lodged themselves in my skin. I've heard of using vinegar and urea from you know where .
The burning and redness went away a little while after I surfaced.

Hi Jamdiver
I use to harvest sea urchens in Nova Scotia over the winter for about 4 years.
I know of the reds, and blacks in warmer waters. Up here we deal with the greens. Thier spines only get to be about 3 inches long.
but still long enough to do some damage.
The spines are made of calcium and do not break down over time.
Most of the spines I had were in my hands.
The tissue around the spines will start to form scars and seal the spine in the tissue, and the scar will continue to grow.
The only problem that you may have down the road, is that, if the spine is deep enough in the skin to get into a joint.
The scar material thats builds up around the spine will cause the joint to loose its mobility.
4 years after I stopped fishing I decided to get the spines removed.
The surgeon took 27 pecies of spine out of my hands.
They were in the same shape as when they went in except that they were bleached white.
I still have 1 spine in my index finger that was missed.
That has now been there for the past 10 years.
Only sign that it is still there, is that the scar material has made the finger about an 1/8 of an inch bigger around the spine.
Hopes this helps!

 

[knotical]

what would have been appropriate treatment if the spines had actually lodged themselves in my skin

Last I checked, DAN suggested hot water soak, removing those spines you can easily get out with tweezers, soap and water, and bandage if necessary. And of course doctor's care if necessary.

The degree of injury seems to depend on the urchin species and where they get you. Spines that enter joints can wreak havoc. Fortunately my only experience was benign. The spine tips broke off in my hand and other than brief pain (perhaps a day) they left me with a weird dotted tattoo for several months.

 

[Charlie99]

....I believe the black you saw was probably blood as well...

Especially if it had a greenish tinge.

 

[Jamdiver]

Thanks for all the replies.
I leave the pc for a couple hours and wow!
Bottomrunner, your experience sounds like a horror story of sorts.
I had no idea that the spines could cause such damage and would require surgery.
Knotical, yeah it does depend on the type of sea urchin and morphology of their spines.
I've actually handled Echinometra and other types without being punctured.
Glad that I only had a 'brush' with the spines .
Thanks all...