Comments on: Pole Pole in Lamu http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Becky/pole-pole-in-lamu.html Dispatches from the wild blue yonder. Wherever yonder is. Sun, 6 Jul 2008 06:00:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Dane http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Becky/pole-pole-in-lamu.html#comment-157 Dane Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:17:49 +0000 http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Becky/pole-pole-in-lamu.html#comment-157 BECKY! WATCH OUT FOR SEA URCHINS! Whew! I have to admit, the getting from place to place in Africa does not sound so great from the comfort of my hot August afternoon living room. Nonetheless, I want to book the trip TODAY! Sounds like your feeding off it all...Run Becky Run! BECKY! WATCH OUT FOR SEA URCHINS! Whew! I have to admit, the getting from place to place in Africa does not sound so great from the comfort of my hot August afternoon living room. Nonetheless, I want to book the trip TODAY! Sounds like your feeding off it all…Run Becky Run!

]]> By: Fiona http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Becky/pole-pole-in-lamu.html#comment-115 Fiona Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:38:44 +0000 http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Becky/pole-pole-in-lamu.html#comment-115 Cooie!! So we're now back in the UK, which is rubbish!!!! I'm going to Paris in 2 days tho so hopefully that'l be good...it's a hard life sometimes!! Turned out that it was a good job that we flew from Zanzibar to Dar - as we checked our flights when we got there and weren't actually on a flight to Nairobi - really helpful!!!!! WE got home in the end tho! I hope i don't spoil your next entry but I've been doing some research...well googling anyway on our not so friendly friend the sea urchin: Types of sting: Venon within the spines that is released after the spine penetrates the skin of an unfortunate diver or reef walker. Pedicellariea - these are seizing organs on the surface of the sea urchin scatted among the spines. The pedicellariea will continue to deliver venom into the skin even if they are broken off of the body of the sea urchin. Any pedicellariea seen in the skin of a diver needs to be removed promptly to stop the flow of venom. Penetration of the skin by Sea Urchin spine results in the release of purple-violet colored fluid that stains the wound - and is a good indicator of penetrating injury. Pain develops quickly and is often out-of-proportion to the size of the wound. Pain is followed by swelling (local edema) and reddness (erythema). The involved extremity may also develop numbness & tingling (paresthesia). Treatment is largely directed at alleviating the symptoms of pain and swelling, there is no specific antidote. Inspect the affected area carefully. Carefully remove any adherent pedicellariea to stop the flow of venom. The long spines may break off within the skin and can be difficult to remove. It is not necessary to completely remove sea urchin spines (unlike the pedicellariea which need to be removed quickly. However spine remaining within the skin, may cause a later allergic reaction and should then be removed preferably by a doctor or other medical professional. (that was me!!!!!!!!!!!!) This may require minor surgery and local anesthesia. (oops.....) Pat the skin dry with a non-abrasive cloth. - well a baby wipe did us nicely! Hope you find that interesting and I really hope your foot's ok now! Enjoy yourself lots and keep safe...especially watch out for english medical students, thay can be a right pain!! Fiona x x x Cooie!!

So we’re now back in the UK, which is rubbish!!!! I’m going to Paris in 2 days tho so hopefully that’l be good…it’s a hard life sometimes!! Turned out that it was a good job that we flew from Zanzibar to Dar - as we checked our flights when we got there and weren’t actually on a flight to Nairobi - really helpful!!!!! WE got home in the end tho! I hope i don’t spoil your next entry but I’ve been doing some research…well googling anyway on our not so friendly friend the sea urchin:

Types of sting: Venon within the spines that is released after the spine penetrates the skin of an unfortunate diver or reef walker.
Pedicellariea - these are seizing organs on the surface of the sea urchin scatted among the spines. The pedicellariea will continue to deliver venom into the skin even if they are broken off of the body of the sea urchin. Any pedicellariea seen in the skin of a diver needs to be removed promptly to stop the flow of venom.

Penetration of the skin by Sea Urchin spine results in the release of purple-violet colored fluid that stains the wound - and is a good indicator of penetrating injury.
Pain develops quickly and is often out-of-proportion to the size of the wound.
Pain is followed by swelling (local edema) and reddness (erythema). The involved extremity may also develop numbness & tingling (paresthesia).

Treatment is largely directed at alleviating the symptoms of pain and swelling, there is no specific antidote.
Inspect the affected area carefully. Carefully remove any adherent pedicellariea to stop the flow of venom.
The long spines may break off within the skin and can be difficult to remove. It is not necessary to completely remove sea urchin spines (unlike the pedicellariea which need to be removed quickly. However spine remaining within the skin, may cause a later allergic reaction and should then be removed preferably by a doctor or other medical professional. (that was me!!!!!!!!!!!!) This may require minor surgery and local anesthesia. (oops…..)
Pat the skin dry with a non-abrasive cloth. - well a baby wipe did us nicely!

Hope you find that interesting and I really hope your foot’s ok now!

Enjoy yourself lots and keep safe…especially watch out for english medical students, thay can be a right pain!!

Fiona
x x x

]]> By: Amy Maurer http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Becky/pole-pole-in-lamu.html#comment-110 Amy Maurer Sun, 22 Jul 2007 02:45:40 +0000 http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Becky/pole-pole-in-lamu.html#comment-110 Hi Becky! Just wanted to let you know that I'm totally living vicariously through you and your epic adventure... especially now that I'm home with the kids 24/7 and my new idea of excitement is when they both take a nap at the same time, or better yet, Jack actually poops in the potty and not in his super hero undies! YA-HOO!! I love the details, especially the "Smith Family Reunion"shirt... it made me laugh out loud, which of course made Scott go "What?!? What's so funny?" which proves he's only really paying attention when he thinks he's missing something. Ha ha! Zanzibar sounds so cool, like from some old black and white movie with Humphrey Bogart or something... I'm in awe and can't wait to read the next installment. Safe travels! Amy Hi Becky! Just wanted to let you know that I’m totally living vicariously through you and your epic adventure… especially now that I’m home with the kids 24/7 and my new idea of excitement is when they both take a nap at the same time, or better yet, Jack actually poops in the potty and not in his super hero undies! YA-HOO!!
I love the details, especially the “Smith Family Reunion”shirt… it made me laugh out loud, which of course made Scott go “What?!? What’s so funny?” which proves he’s only really paying attention when he thinks he’s missing something. Ha ha!
Zanzibar sounds so cool, like from some old black and white movie with Humphrey Bogart or something… I’m in awe and can’t wait to read the next installment.
Safe travels!
Amy

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