Beware of sea urchins, don't let them ruin your holiday

(Patria) - The beautiful salty sea has many inhabitants we can encounter, especially in the shallows. Parents who go on holiday with children have a particular fear.

Some of the inhabitants are sea urchins, which can ruin your holiday in an instant when you step on them.

They are usually found on rocks and stones along the shore. They are round in shape, and their entire body is covered with spines.

The problem arises when you step on them. The sting is not at all pleasant - it is painful, the skin turns red, and swelling may occur. People are most often stung on the feet, but it can also happen on the legs and palms, reports Net.hr.

If you don't know how, do not try to remove the spines yourself because they can break off and leave small fragments in the leg that are very difficult to remove.

In 90% of cases, the spines come out of the skin on their own after 2-3 days, but it is better to remove them as soon as possible to prevent an inflammatory reaction to the foreign body.

Dermatology specialist Dr. Vesna Lamer advises first seeking help from a doctor, if one is nearby, who can professionally remove the spines.

If a doctor is not nearby, you will have to remove them yourself. According to this doctor's experience, spines are easiest to remove from the leg 2-3 days after the injury.

However, people usually remove them immediately because walking is painful. Until the spines are removed, analgesics and cold compresses help.

If that doesn't help, mix water and warm vinegar in a basin, then soak your feet. The vinegar will soften the skin, open the pores, and cause the small spines to come out of the skin.

When removing the spines, you must have first aid supplies: sterile tweezers, a sterile needle, ointment, and alcohol, and you can also rinse the injured leg with salt water (not sea water) or vinegar.

Sea urchin spines are made of calcium carbonate, and acetic acid breaks them down. Try to push the spines out with a needle, then gently remove them with tweezers.