Sea Urchin "thorns"

[paolov]

I have a good experience with sea urchins. It save me a ton on medical bills.

I had problems with my left forearm (numbness and tingling) i had electric shocks doen to determine where the problem is, and it was determined to be around the left elbow area. I had alot of medicines (neurological even) that i did not like the side effects like memory loss etc.

after almost a year of medication and no improvement i stopped all medication and resigned myself to numbness in my left arm.

then on one scuba diving trip, i was just doing an S.I. on the surface playing around snorkelling when i got hit by an urchin spike on my left forearm.

THE FEELING WAS GREAT!!!!! i felt warmth, the feeling of a VERY WELCOMED WARMTH from the urchin sting. and LO and belhold I WAS CURED of the numbness. this was in 1998. last year i started to feel an occasional numbness again, been planning to get a nother sting one of this scuba diving trips......... am not too sure if i would get a similar result as the last time, after all this may be a different urchin after 5 years since my last urchin sting.



paolov

 

[archman]

hmmm... maybe you should talk to an acupuncturist.

 

[Norm Keller]

Talked with a guy waiting to see the Paramedic at our hotel in Mexico. He had about a doxen urchin thorns deeply into the bottom of his foot and was hobbling badly as well as complaining of pain. The Para' told him that he could either soak it and see a Dr. in the city next day or treat it as he treated his own urchin thorns... the guy told the Para' to go for it. The Para' disinfected the area with a brown goo and then took out his little "reaction check" rubber hammer and banged the area until the thorns were broken into tiny pieces. (Remember this was in the bottom of the foot, not into a joint). The guy said it hurt like crazy while the Para' was pounding but afterwards the pulling/tugging pain was gone and he was able to walk on it without trouble.
I was shocked but it saved a vacation. Success is it's own reward.

How about some comments....

hey guys this is off topic, sorry in advance. HELP ME please!!! I haven't been diving very long and the other day I thought I would try my hand at getting some lobsters. ha ha ha yea right! I tried and tried but the most I got was a couple of antenas. I took a small rod with a hook tied on the end the second attempt to " hook em in the stomach, it's easy". I think I probably just need some more practice, but it would be easier if I had some help or some tips!! The problem is that when I stick the rod in the hole slowly they usually feel it and take off inside. ( there are a lot of those dang sea urchines all around the hole) Also some tips for finding them would be nice too. ie. depths, water conditons, time of day, etc. I dive of the western coast of Mexico, in puerto vallarta and the surrounding areas.

Thanks in advance for any tips,
Eric

 

[DocVikingo]

The technique that you describe is somewhat controversial among diving medicine doctors, although under certain circumstances at least one well known expert recommends applying extra trauma & movement to the injury to degrade embedded spines. This procedure should not, however, be attempted when the spines are lodged near bone, joints or major nerves.

Whatever else is done, one's tetanus coverage should be up to date, topical antibiotics applied and the area closely observed for signs of infection.

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