Toxicity of A.planci :

The disc and arms are covered with a soft skin and stout, hinged spines up to 5 cm long,, each with a 3-sided blade at the tip. The spines are covered by a thin skin containing two types of glands which are thought to produce a venom and mucus. The tissues of an A.planci contain toxic saponins, and are not only poisonous to humans but also to insects and soil organisms by suppressing plant growth. The starfish therefore cannot be used either for food or fertilizer.

Symptoms in case of injury:

A puncture wound from a spine is intensely painful, causing swelling (oedema), redness with a dark blue center (erythema), heat and numbness of the surrounding areas. Stinging by 10 or more spines may result in vomiting which can recur every few hours for several days (if the victim suffered multiple wounds, apart from getting very itchy, the whole limb may stiffen, and swell). If infection develops in the punctured wounds, lymph glands in the arm pit or groin may become tender or swollen. Often spine tips break off in the wound resulting in complications for weeks or even months. A spine tip in the finger can result in swelling and stiffness caused by the growth of granulation tissue typical of a foreign body reaction. In severe cases bone-destroying (osteolytic) processes may cause narrowing of a joint by destruction of cartilage, which requires surgery.

Treatment:

Any embedded pieces of spine should be removed – any spine in a joint represents a surgical emergency. Most marine poisons are destroyed by moderate heat. If possible submerge the effected area in 50°C hot water. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the wound to prevent 2 ndary infection (e.g., Tetanus).