Sea urchin stings are a painful and common injury that can occur when swimming, snorkeling, or diving in the ocean. These spiny sea creatures are found all over the world in both shallow and deep waters.
If you accidentally step on or touch a sea urchin, its spines can break off and get lodged in your skin, causing pain, swelling, and redness.
If you’re stung by a sea urchin, there are several remedies you can try to alleviate the pain and discomfort. Here are 30 remedies for sea urchin stings:.
1. Remove Spines with Tweezers
If the sea urchin spines are still lodged in your skin, use a pair of sterilized tweezers to remove them. Be sure to grasp the spines firmly near the base and pull them out in the same direction they entered your skin.
2. Soak in Hot Water
Soak the affected area in hot water as soon as possible. The hot water can help break down the toxins in the sea urchin spines and alleviate the pain. Keep soaking for at least 30 minutes.
3. Vinegar
Use vinegar to neutralize the toxins in the sea urchin spines. Soak the affected area in vinegar for at least 30 minutes. Rinse with fresh water and repeat several times a day until the pain subsides.
4. Ammonia
Ammonia is also effective at neutralizing the toxins in sea urchin spines. Dilute one part ammonia in two parts water and soak the affected area for at least 30 minutes. Rinse with fresh water and repeat several times a day until the pain subsides.
5. Baking Soda
Baking soda can help relieve the pain and neutralize the toxins in sea urchin spines. Mix baking soda with enough water to make a paste and apply it to the affected area. Let it dry and then rinse with fresh water.
6. Meat Tenderizer
Meat tenderizer contains enzymes that can break down the toxins in sea urchin spines. Mix meat tenderizer with enough water to make a paste and apply it to the affected area. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then rinse with fresh water.
7. Lemon Juice
The acid in lemon juice can help neutralize the toxins in sea urchin spines and relieve the pain. Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the affected area and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Rinse with fresh water and repeat several times a day.
8. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve pain and swelling from sea urchin stings. Apply the gel to the affected area several times a day until the pain subsides.
9. Ice Pack
Apply an ice pack to the affected area to reduce pain and swelling. Place a cloth between the ice pack and your skin to prevent ice burn.
10. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and swelling from sea urchin stings. Mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt with enough warm water to soak the affected area. Soak for at least 30 minutes and repeat several times a day.
11. Hydrocortisone Cream
Apply hydrocortisone cream to the affected area to help reduce pain and inflammation. Follow the instructions on the package and apply several times a day until the pain subsides.
12. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help relieve pain and prevent infection from sea urchin stings. Apply a few drops of tea tree oil to the affected area and massage gently. Repeat several times a day.
13. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation from sea urchin stings. Apply a few drops of lavender oil to the affected area and massage gently. Repeat several times a day.
14. Turmeric
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce pain and swelling from sea urchin stings. Mix turmeric powder with enough water to make a paste and apply it to the affected area. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then rinse with fresh water.
15. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation from sea urchin stings. Brew a cup of chamomile tea and let it cool. Soak a cloth in the tea and apply to the affected area several times a day.
16. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and swelling from sea urchin stings. Apply witch hazel to the affected area with a cotton ball several times a day.
17. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help relieve pain and prevent infection from sea urchin stings. Apply a thin layer of coconut oil to the affected area several times a day.
18. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can help neutralize the toxins in sea urchin spines and relieve pain and swelling. Dilute apple cider vinegar with enough water to soak the affected area and soak for at least 30 minutes.
Rinse with fresh water and repeat several times a day.
19. Calamine Lotion
Apply calamine lotion to the affected area to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Follow the instructions on the package and apply several times a day until the pain subsides.
20. Oatmeal Bath
An oatmeal bath can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation from sea urchin stings. Add two cups of oatmeal to a warm bath and soak for at least 30 minutes. Rinse with fresh water and repeat several times a day.
21. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation from sea urchin stings. Apply a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the affected area and massage gently. Repeat several times a day.
22. Honey
Honey has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent infection and reduce inflammation from sea urchin stings. Apply a thin layer of honey to the affected area and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Rinse with fresh water and repeat several times a day.
23. Saltwater Rinse
A saltwater rinse can help reduce pain and swelling from sea urchin stings. Dissolve one tablespoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse the affected area several times a day.
24. Petroleum Jelly
Apply petroleum jelly to the affected area to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Follow the instructions on the package and apply several times a day until the pain subsides.
25. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce pain and inflammation from sea urchin stings. Apply a few drops of vitamin E oil to the affected area and massage gently. Repeat several times a day.
26. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent infection and reduce inflammation from sea urchin stings. Apply a few drops of oregano oil to the affected area and massage gently. Repeat several times a day.
27. Garlic
Garlic has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent infection and reduce inflammation from sea urchin stings. Crush a few garlic cloves and apply to the affected area. Cover with a bandage and leave overnight.
Repeat several times a day.
28. Onion
Onions have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent infection and reduce inflammation from sea urchin stings. Cut a fresh onion and rub the juice onto the affected area.
Let it sit for 30 minutes and then rinse with fresh water.
29. Cucumber
Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce pain and swelling from sea urchin stings. Slice a fresh cucumber and place the slices on the affected area. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then rinse with fresh water.
30. Papaya
Papaya has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation from sea urchin stings. Cut a fresh papaya and apply the pulp to the affected area. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then rinse with fresh water.