Step 2: Sterilize and clean the wound?1. And after removing the sting?
This process requires patience, as the wound will be touched during cleaning. If you have a low tolerance for pain, you may want to seek the help of a medical professional. Immediately after the splinter is removed, clean the wound with soap and then rinse it with water. Hydrogen peroxide or povidone-iodine can be used instead of soap, which is non-irritating and effective in disinfecting the wound, again rinsing with water after disinfecting. 2. Do I need to bandage it after cleaning?
Based on the experience of past injuries, you should use a bandage to cover the wound after disinfecting and cleaning, right? But in fact, you should not bandage the wound after being stabbed by a sea urchin, because the tiny spines are not so easy to detect, and maybe you will encounter a situation where the removal is not clean, then the bandage will be counterproductive at this time. 3. What about bathing after an injury?
Add vinegar and bath salts containing magnesium sulfate (Epsom) for better results, but the soaking time should be shortened, usually 20-40 minutes. Bathing is unaffected, and mild shampoos and bath soaps are sufficient.
Cleaning the wound reduces the chance of pain and infection, and some people go straight to the shower after removing the stinger and cleaning it.
What if you just want to clean the injured area?
For example, if it's a foot sting, you can immerse your foot in hot water - as hot as you can get it, close to the limit of what you can put your foot in, and keep heating the water to keep it hot. Soak for at least an hour, which will help relieve the pain and also help any tiny sea urchin spines left in the wound to dislodge themselves.
Step 3: Work with medication 1. Do I need to do anything else before bed? A light bandage can be put on, so that the small broken spines near the wound still have room to fall off on their own. Although you don't need to dress the wound after cleaning it, you should still treat it before going to bed. Disinfect the wound again (try to use hydrogen peroxide, povidone-iodine or alcohol instead of soap), apply some dressing to promote healing, and finally wrap the wound with gauze so that you do not accidentally touch it while sleeping. 2. Do I need to take any medication?
Antibiotic ointment prevents infection, and Tylenol and ibuprofen relieve pain. To minimize the risk of infection and shorten the duration of pain, antibiotics and painkillers should be taken. Please follow your doctor's advice on how to take them. Antibiotics and painkillers are available in most pharmacies and supermarkets (ask your local healthcare provider if you need a prescription for antibiotics). 3. What if I still have an infection?
In general, if a sea urchin sting is treated properly and promptly, the wound usually heals. However, because sea urchins are toxic, there is still a chance of infection and the wound must be monitored. If the wound becomes red and swollen, if pus develops, or if the lymph near the wound (especially in the neck, armpits and groin) begins to swell, it is highly likely that your wound is infected. Additionally, any symptoms of difficulty breathing or chest pain indicate that the infection is serious enough to warrant immediate medical attention.