Cure for anemone Sting

FishGeek · #1 03-03-2003, 06:17 PM

A week and a half ago i brush my forearm against a large BTA and got stung pretty bad. I didn't hurt much but it sure did burn. Now I have about 100 little red bumps that are very itchy. It isn't too bad if nothing touches them, but as soom as I touch the area, accidently brush it up against something, it starts to really itch. Does anybody know of any cures which will stop the itching and reduce the red bumps? Soap and hot water only seem to make it worse. (Showers)

On the brite side, the bumps are in the pattern of a ball and a star right below it. (Ok I got stung twiic ein the same day) I'll try to poast pics if I can get a hold of a digi cam.

Canadian Man · #2 03-03-2003, 06:52 PM

That sound prety crappy Simon

Maybe considering that we get almost free healthcare in this country, you should go to the doctor. They may perscribe cortozone (spelling?) cream or some other fancy thing.

BCOrchidGuy · #3 03-03-2003, 07:10 PM

The only thing to do is to rinse it and wash it in THE WATER it came from, if you use tap water you will trigger the nemocysts to fire and sting you.

Fun eh??

FishGeek · #4 03-03-2003, 08:57 PM

NOW YOU TELL ME!!!! argggg. Where were you when I got stung. I think that was very irresponsible of you to allow a fellow aquarist to get stung and not be there to tell him what to do to prevent the ichyness. As a punishment, you must frag all your corals and send them to me ASAP. :twisted:

Troy F · #5 03-03-2003, 10:05 PM

The nematocysts fired the minute he brushed up against the anemone. I think Jonathon's advice is pretty sound. Personally, I wouldn't use tank water to rinse anything. There are all sorts of possibly nasty bacteria and chemicals floating about in there. BC.O.G, where'd you hear that rinsing with tank water will help?

canadawest · #6 03-04-2003, 01:48 AM

I've read that you should rinse with seawater and not fresh water as well, as the fresh water will irritate the nematocysts to cause more pain.

With that said, I agree with Troy that tank water is probably not the best rinsing solution, so a better option would be a batch of freshly mixed saltwater.

Jellyfish stings are supposed to be very similar mechanisms, and according to the diving info I've read vinegar is supposed to help neuralize the sting as well as 50/50 rubbing alcohol/water mix.

From the diving treatments I've read they almost all suggest against topical creams or ointments like cortizone or lidocaine as they can aggrivate the nematocysts more even if it does reduce the immediate pain.

Apparently a regular anti-inflammitory or antihistamine will help reduce the swelling.

canadawest · #7 03-04-2003, 01:49 AM

PS... I've read that it can take up to 6 weeks for serious jellyfish (or I suspect anemones as well) stings to fully heal.

EmilyB · #8 03-04-2003, 01:57 AM

FWIW, with regards to the antihistamine, I take Reactine for bristleworm fingers....it really helps.

Fishgeek, it does sound as if you have a sensitivity, I've never had a problem with anemone tentacles or any corals. You should wear gloves to be safe.....

trilinearmipmap · #9 03-04-2003, 05:03 AM

When I was younger I knew this chick from the Phillipines, she was hot looking but she would always cover up wearing long skirts or pants. The reason was when she was young she got badly stung by a jellyfish at the beach and she had permanent scars on her leg.

Anyway I have heard about vinegar for the acute (immediate) treatment of jellyfish stings but I have no idea if this applies to anemones as well. In addition I think that days later this would not do any good.

FishGeek · #10 03-04-2003, 05:41 AM

It's wierd. I've always handled anemones with my bare hands without ever a problem. Well eccept this other time I touched a very large carpet anemone and got a slight tingling sensation but nothing else. I think This one was so bad because it was on a very sensitive part of my skin. Anyways at work today, I cut a piece of aloe vera plant and rubbed it on. It seemed to help with the itchyness but made the bumps more pronounced.

Simon
PS. Sorry anout the spelling errors, I think the sting is preventing me from typing properly. Oh wait a minute, I forgot. I've always been a bad speller.