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Hi
Has anyone any experience of removing embedded sea urchin spikes from the plantar surface of the foot? Strange request I know but a colleague says she's heard urine (presumably the pt's own) or vinegar might help.
Thanks, Russ.

 

A nurse colleague came back from holiday having stood on one - and I painstakingly picked them out for her - isn't the urine/vinegar thing to do with jellyfish stings?

Gill

 

Hi Russ,

I've removed sea urchin spikes several times in the past.

No need for LA.

1. Pare away any surrounding callous which may make removing them difficult.

2. Using a no 11 blade gently ease each spike out so that it can be grasped with tweezers (rather than forceps since the spikes are brittle).

As Gill says, painstaking but your pt will love you for the end result!


Cheers,

 

Thanks for that David - very helpful.
Russ.

 

I once had so many embedded in my hand it was not possible to pick them all out. The finer ones were just absorbed over time....I did have a pretty puffy hand for some time though.