Barnacle cuts and Urchin wounds

[Waldo]

I really dislike wearing booties, and avoid them whenever possible. Of course that means that when surfing spots like Rincon or Trestles, I occasionally end up doing the low-tide rock dance, and often end up with a variety of little cuts.

Seems like I often get shallow, very neat cuts that I'm pretty sure are from barnacles. I usually hit them with a little Bactine for a few days, and they heal up fine, albeit a bit slowly.

2-1/2 weeks ago I got two neat little punctures on the underside of my big toes -- looked just like a horror movie vampire bite. I'm guessing I stepped on an urchin. Those have taken longer to heal -- they're closed now, but still quite tender.

My questions:
-- Is there a better way to treat those barnacle cuts?
--Should I be concerned about those punctures, since they're still so tender?
--What is the recommended treatment for urchin wounds? (all these years and I'd never had one before)

Gracias!

 

[studog]

try paddling out above the point. usually less of a rock dance.

 

[Waldo]

Well, yeah...that's part of the solution, of course. Then again, on -.4 foot tide days, there's not always much of an option

 

[pwoehl]

don't know about the treatments, but I used to get the same cuts from Topanga and Malibu and hated booties too. Then I got the newer O'Neil ones. Don't know the name, but they have 2 pieces of rubber on the bottom for your heel and ball with fabric in between. They feel more like socks and never fill with water. I also get better traction and don't have to be too concerned with wax. I don't surf without them now. OK, I feel like a kook <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> in summer with a spring or shorts on and booties, but it's nice not too be limping around anymore! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

 

[studog]

toughen your feet up. around the house walk barefoot. walk around the driveway barefoot. try to build up a thicker layer of skin on the bottoms of your feet.

I've never thought Ventura and SB spots had lots of barnacles.

 

[SurfDoc]

Its a modern world, DON'T GO BAREFOOT!
Booties are such a smart addition to the surfer's aresenal. Excellent board grip with minimal need for board wax.

Care of rock, reef, and urchin cuts. Wash with warm water and anitbacterial soap. Use a light coating of antibacterial ointment. Keep open to the air as much as possible. Urine is a NO-NO! Aloe has NOT been proven to be better or faster. Any leftover urchin spines should be surgically removed (I know, I've been there....). Foot wounds can take weeks to heal. Don't goof up. Take good care of open wounds and consider a visit to your local medicine person.

 

[Waldo]

Yes, I own booties, and yes the modern ones are light years ahead of those from a few years ago. I still don't liike them if I can do without.

Yep, I go barefoot constantly. Wife had to put up a big fight to get me to wear shoes to our wedding.

Yes, there are nasty sharp things on some of the rocks at places like Church, Rincon, C-street, etc. They look like barneys to me, but I could be wrong.

Nope, I don't pee on my cuts, ever!

yes, I have been giving them some topical antibiotic, and lots of fresh air.

And yes, Doc, you have scared the **** with the phrase "surgically removed."

The punctures have closed up, I'm just a little surprised that my toe is still so sensitive. No discoloration or anything, so I'm not that worried about infection now. Seems like I'll just let it go another week or two, and if it's still sore then I'll have my doc take a look.

 

[smslavin]

Being an avid diver as well as an instructor, I'm well aware of urchin spines. All of the reefs around here are infested with the little buggers. I usually don't try to dig the spines out. In about a day or two, the spines work their way up and I can usually just squeeze them to get them to pop out. I've never had to have one 'surgically removed' but I'm sure it's possible to work one in far enough where you might need that. After I get the spines out, I'll leave the wound open with a bit of neosporin. Couple of days and it's all healed up, that is if I stay out of the water to let it heal completely.

 

[Waldo]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by smslavin:
<strong>... that is if I stay out of the water to let it heal completely.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Stay out of the water?
I'm sorry; I don't understand <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

 

[blakestah]

Coming out of the water at Zippers a few years back, I knew there were urchins, and paddled to within 3 feet of shore. Then, I carelessly set my foot down. Right on an urchin.

Spines went through my foot. After I cleared the water, I sat there looking at my foot like it had crushed a cactus in a Roadrunner cartoon. Literally, over a hundred spines went in the bottom, and quite a few came out the top. I PLOINKED them out one by one, ran quite a fever that night, and was surfing about 3 days later. Later I found out some treatments that can help you from being poisoned by the spines. I didn't get any of them surgically removed. I think the poison just dissolved in my bloodstream and gave me a ripping fever that night.

All in all, a bit easier than a stingray wound.