If you find yourself in shallow water, or in close quarters with them, calmly and surely swim away. I’m nor talking about the berracuda, I’m talking about the Pacific’s prickliest pears, the “wana,” as they’re called. Commonly found on the ocean floor, rocks, and reefs, these sea urchins with needle-thin, sharp spines release a toxin after puncturing the skin, which is one reason why encountering them can be such a pain.

Using heat to treat sea urchin stings and punctures is controversial. And no, those old stories about peeing on an ocean sting are simply attempts at…something other than first aid. Carefully remove any barbs sticking out of the skin, and if there’s a lifeguard on duty, ask about on-site first aid treatment. Of course, when in doubt, see a doctor or medical professional.

The Molokini Crater on Maui, for one, has wana in spades, that’s one reason why you’ll want to avoid getting too close to the crater walls. In fact, any sea urchin will cause varying degrees of discomfort if stepped on. For that reason, always wear fins or water shoes when swimming or walking along passages of possible urchin habitat.

Photo by Flickr Creative Commons–Bo&Ko

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler