Sea urchin injury
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/01/Sea-urchin-injury.jpg/220px-Sea-urchin-injury.jpg)
Sea urchin injury on the top side of the foot. This injury resulted in some skin staining from the natural purple-black dye of the urchin.
Sea urchin injuries are caused by contact with sea urchins, and are characterized by puncture wounds inflicted by the animal's brittle, fragile spines.[1]: 431
Process[]
Sea urchin spines can be venomous or cause infection. Granuloma and staining of the skin from the natural dye inside the sea urchin can also occur. Breathing problems may indicate a serious reaction to toxins in the sea urchin.[2]
Following injury by a non-venomous sea urchin, the spine can stay for a while inside the flesh, causing pain and discomfort. The spines dissolve after a time, or are expelled from the body.[citation needed]
Additional images[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Mediterranean_black_sea_urchin_sting_getting_expelled_from_the_body_by_itself_after_3_weeks.jpg/220px-Mediterranean_black_sea_urchin_sting_getting_expelled_from_the_body_by_itself_after_3_weeks.jpg)
Mediterranean black sea urchin sting being expelled from the body by itself after three weeks
See also[]
- Bristleworm sting
- List of cutaneous conditions
References[]
- ^ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
- ^ Gallagher, Scott A. "Echinoderm Envenomation". eMedicine. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
Categories:
- Parasitic infestations, stings, and bites of the skin
- Echinoidea
- Echinoidea stubs
- Infection-related cutaneous condition stubs