numb arm

[prodogg02]

has anyone ever had there are go numb,fingers and viens swell up and hurt like hell.i added a new piece of rock,move my mushroom rock on top of it.went and washed hands and 2 min later holly cow it hurt. going to wear gloves from now on.was told you could actually die from some stuff in your tank.just wonderin if anyone else has this happen to them.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

I've read of things like this, especially bad experiences with palytoxins. Gotta be careful around those palythoas and zoanthus.

[OCDP]

has anyone ever had there are go numb,fingers and viens swell up and hurt like hell.i added a new piece of rock,move my mushroom rock on top of it.went and washed hands and 2 min later holly cow it hurt. going to wear gloves from now on.was told you could actually die from some stuff in your tank.just wonderin if anyone else has this happen to them.

How bad is the pain now? Is it getting worse ? Don't take any chances, if you feel really bad and are in lots of pain, go to the ER or something and tell them everything tank related. Mention palytoxins and so on. Hope your well, and please keep us updated....

[Ruth]

I think you should go to the hospital right now. You don't want to take these things lightly. Tell them you have a saltwater aquarium and mention palytoxins.

[OCDP]

I think you should go to the hospital right now. You don't want to take these things lightly. Tell them you have a saltwater aquarium and mention palytoxins.

I was going to say just head to the ER and don't take chances, but thought that may sound too pushy. I personally, would be in there right now! Definitely go there informing them of palytoxin and the fact that you have a SW tank and have been dealing with live rock .

[mark]

might want to do a quick printout of the possible toxin to take along.

[Joe Reefer]

Sounds like a bristleworm sting to me.

[Joe Reefer]

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/wilderness_bristleworm_sting/page3_em.htm

[Murminator]

Sounds like a bristleworm sting to me.

Yup sounds like a bristleworm.......I was put in the ER by palytoxions hadsuper high fever, puking, crappin, and uncontrolable shakes wasn't fun but no numb fingers or swelling on me

[Quagmire]

Why is everyone getting worked up about palytoxin.He mentioned a mushroom,but didn't mention paly's or zoas.Could be anything from an allergic reaction,to the above mentioned bristle worm sting.Or yes palytoxin.What I mean is,lets not head up the wrong trail here,if he says to the DR. palytoxin,they may overlook an allergy that can be just as dangerous.Prodogg everyone is right about not messing around,if it has you worried go the the ER.

[prodogg02]

pain and numdness only lasted about 20mins.talk to colby a elite about it he says the mushrooms mucus and me being a mechanic with cuts on my hand i probably had some kind of reaction he said i should wear gloves to be safe.he said hes gettin some to.

[justinl]

yup gloves and tongs would definitely be a good idea. Palytoxin? bristleworms? zoos? nudis? anemones? there's a virtually endless list of what can make you sick that ends up in an aquariium and that's not even including allergic reactions or physical injuries like bites. At any rate, I think it's a good idea to know as close as possible exactly whats in there and what possible dangers they might pose. Glad to hear you're feeling better anyways. Even better to hear that you're learning from this little episode.

[andsoitgoes]

Does the thought of this just scare one a bit? Can you imagine being killed by something in your fish tank? Heavens, that would NOT be a way I'd want to die. Especially by something such as a bristleworm =/

"Man dies fiddling in his tank, his friends told him not to but he was stubborn and just had to get that rock formation right. Now he's dead. By a worm. A little, tiny, worm."

[Chad]

I don't think a bristle worm sting can kill you though. They just hurt like hell.. Of course if it was an alergic reaction to the bristle worm sting then thats different.

Just wear gloves and go on your merry way. Also, when fragging, good idea is to wear a face shield, Zoa's etc tend to squirt when fragged :)

[Tarolisol]

Ive been stung by bristle worms many many times, i wouldnt consider it hurting like hell, just some swelling and inchyness. More an annoyence then anything.

On a side note does anyone remember the story of the persons dog who ate some zoos and passed away.

[Scavenger]

On a side note does anyone remember the story of the persons dog who ate some zoos and passed away.

Yes I remember that. So sad.

Shortly after reading that, I was stung by a wasp in the hand. Being a complete idiot, I then used that hand to move some stuff around. I figure it was the combination of toxins, but my pulse went into complete overdrive, every vein in my body was swelled out. I looked like a steroid junkie after a hardcore workout. There was lots of pain followed right away by numbness and vomiting. Off to the E room we went. Not my favorite day.

[Joe Reefer]

I think the dog just drank some of the water the guy was using for fragging.

[Chad]

Some peoples definition of hurting like "hell" may differ.. Personaly, I don't feel a thing but I have been stung by a fire coral! that sucker hurt.

[Palster]

I got nailed by one of the spines on my Foxface. Can't say it hurt that bad. I would compare it to being stung by a Wasp. But then again I don't react as badly as some people do to wasp stings.

[EmilyB]

I spoke with one of the top allergy specialists in Calgary about palytoxin. There is no evidence in the world wide database about palytoxin death except by eating triggerfish.....

Seriously, consider the many people who handle rock and zoos, you'd have had a fellow reefer die by now.

Some people are more allergy prone than others and may be reacting to any of a number of things.

Use caution if you feel a danger. I know people allergic to saltwater.

[MobyDick]

I dunno i get the worm sting all the time and it doesn't hurt!it's is ich for about 2-3 houre then it forms a hard spot and peels skin for weeks..

[Samw]

Sometimes after rearranging corals with my hands, they get irritated and itchy. Yesterday, I had chest pains right after some aquascaping and tank cleaning. The usual layer of skin on my fingers had previously peeled off from blisters obtained while playing sports so that probably made it easier for toxins to enter my body.

[Funky_Fish14]

Prodogg, glad you were ok!

I would agree if anyone has serious pains or swelling, safest bet is to head to the ER, but, I would keep in mind allergies, and the massive spectrum of toxins and chemicals we are exposed to in our tanks! For example, personally, I've never had any rash or any swelling at all etc... from dealing with SW. The worst I've ever had was itchyness for a few mins after being scrathed hard enough to break the skin, or with sharp spiny stuff. I've touched many anemones and of different species as well, black sponge, tons of corals, etc... I can even pick up bristleworms. With the big ones I get spines in the fingers causing a slight 'poke' feeling, but I just wash my hands off or pull them out, but no reactions at all. But again as I think EmilyB mentioned, some people are alergic even to just SW.

[justinl]

I spoke with one of the top allergy specialists in Calgary about palytoxin. There is no evidence in the world wide database about palytoxin death except by eating triggerfish.....

Seriously, consider the many people who handle rock and zoos, you'd have had a fellow reefer die by now.

Some people are more allergy prone than others and may be reacting to any of a number of things.

Use caution if you feel a danger. I know people allergic to saltwater.

Well palytoxin is more of a toxicology issue than an allergy one i think. Many docs don't know about it or dont know much about it. Im not knocking on your doc of course, just saying that it's better to be safe rather than sorry (please excuse the cliche).

besides there are stories of quite a few violent reactions from things ranging from nudibranchs to snails to zoos to blue ring octopuses. Just because one toxin may not kill ya doesnt mean others wont or won't give you a hell of a bad day. about blue rings: some people keep em in tanks. Their toxin (i don't know if it's palytoxin or not) is extremely deadly and can paralyze a full grown man in 5 minutes, kill him in 20. there is no antivenin.

That said, I don't believe in being scared of your tank. just wary and aware. I live by that.

[Kronk]

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/cleaning.php?product_ID=mc-glove

Best purchase i have ever made for my tank keeps my hands dry and possible contamination out of the tank, really only use the right glove though.. any lefties want to buy the other one off me :lol:

[fishface]

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/cleaning.php?product_ID=mc-glove

Best purchase i have ever made for my tank keeps my hands dry and possible contamination out of the tank, really only use the right glove though.. any lefties want to buy the other one off me :lol:
just turn it inside out!

[Myanth]

Bristle worm stings don't bug me.... but I think that a Jason sting might.http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/medium/0701100051.JPG

[finn-a-gin]

My wife had a cut on her hand and was doing a skimmer clean-out for me, she had some of the bacteria enter her wound, a day later swelling ensued. It swelled to a point where her finger "split". She was in intense pain for days before a culture came back as "fish handlers disease" Mycobacterium Marinium

The treatment was Tuberclosis meds for 3 months to remove stubborn infection. Now she won't even come close to helping now...GREAT!


Thought I would share...wear gloves

[Sushiman]

Marine venom is primarily protien based, treat the effected limb with very hot (not scalding) H2O. It will break down the venom. If difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath or prievious history or severe allergic reactions or analphylaxis exists call EMS; do not transport yourself to hospital for God's sake! For simple surface stings use vinagar.

[BCOrchidGuy]

The mention of mushroom was that the mushroom rock was moved on top of a "new" piece of rock. Who knows what was or is in that rock, it could have been anything. If in doubt I'd go to the hospital, you may not know you are allergic to something until it's on your tomb stone. My advice is not to take chances. Gloves are a great idea, I'll be picking up a pair before I start aquascaping my new tank. We see fire worms, fire coral, we see all sorts of life that has violent defensive mechanisms.
Glad the person who initiated the post is fine, sad to hear about other peoples experiences though. Myself I'm allergic to bee stings and a wasp sting last summer left me with a hockey puck size black messy crater in my chest, after an evening in the hospital the Doc says, don't mess around, carry the kit and use it if you need. I always thought, oh if I get stung I'll just head to the hospital but reactions get worse after each one not better.

Doug