Do you need “coral shoes” for excursions?

snorkeling, while others can’t take a step without them. Where can you buy special snorkeling footwear? Look for places in the Shopping Malls in Phuket section; sometimes such footwear can also be found in small stalls in tourist areas.

What danger might await you if you swim without special footwear? Most often, you could step on sharp coral or a sea urchin. What should you do in such a case? Disinfect the wound and apply a bandage. However, if a sharp sea urchin spine has penetrated deep under the skin, do the following:

Remove the spines using tweezers, not with your hands! If you can’t manage this, you can try to dissolve them with vinegar by applying a compress.

Soak the wound in hot water for half an hour to an hour.

Treat the wound with an antiseptic. You can use chlorhexidine, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.

Apply a sterile bandage.

If self-help doesn’t work, see a doctor. We’ve compiled Phuket Hospitals in a special section.