Sea Urchin Stings

[RichLockyer]

Firediver once bubbled...
I really don't like that idea people urinating on other people..
I also am wondering since you mentioned ammonia..

Would After bite work. It's used for insect bites and stings???? I do keep some in my medical bag for diving....

Well... nobody said that it couldn't be your own urine

After bite might help... couldn't hurt unless it contains fresh water (which will cause more "nasties" to fire).

Another thing is that most marine toxins are various protiens. Immersion in water that is as hot as you can possibly stand will help to neutralize the toxins.

 

[DocVikingo]

As those who have read the article referenced in my thread above will appreciate, "While you have no doubt heard that peeing on a jellyfish sting will help, a number of respectable dive medicine/dermatology experts think it an old wive's tale and may, in fact, cause nematocysts to fire. Additionally, if one has a urinary tract infection (women are particularly susceptible to occult UTIs), the urine could introduce bacteria into the wound."

In case you do not wish to take the author's word for it, here are some other recognized sources:

1. "The down side of applying anything you happen to have handy is that some substances may do harm. In laboratory tests, urine, ammonia and alcohol cause active stinging cells to fire. Therefore, applying these things has the potential of making a minor sting major." http://www.susanscott.net/OceanWatch1997/jan06-97.html

2. "Urine is useless against pain from jellyfish sting."
http://www.susanscott.net/OceanWatch1999/mar22-99.html

3. "Urinating on jellyfish stings, an old folk remedy, has been proven to do no good and with some species may cause further discharge of venom." http://nursing.about.com/cs/firstaidemergcy/ht/jellyfish.htm

4. It is not a recommend treatment per world renown dive medicine expert Dr. Carl Edmonds in his book on "Dangerous Marine Creatures."

I did find your recommendation of immersion of the affected area in hot water to be a worthy addition. Studies have shown this approach to be quite effective with a variety of marine envenomations, especially with sea urchin & venomous fish punctures, and jellyfish stings.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[Firediver]

What about "After Bite"?? would that work in sting relief??
Its for insect bites and stings......

 

[DocVikingo]

"After-Bite" contains baking soda, ammonia & tea tree oil.

While this product may work for some Cnidarian envenomations, vinegar likely still would be preferable. However, for the reasons stated in my article & in my response to RichLockyer I'd shy away from it altogether when jellyfish stings are involved.

The product likely would provide only minimal to no benefit in the treatment of sea urchin punctures.

As with all such attempts to deactivate the proteins that are at the basis of much of the reaction to Cnidarian envenomation, they are only effective when applied early on--the sooner the application the better. After about a half hour, there is little point in using them.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best regards.

DocVikingo