Allergic reaction to salt....?

[Malifry97]

Am I the only one that gets a rash, dry skin and small bumps anytime I touch my salt or saltwater? It’s terrible and requires me to wear gloves pretty much anytime I work on my tank.

 

[fishguy242]

hi i'll get rashy working on tanks but for hours and hours straight,not just messing around for a hour or mixing salt

 

[ReefReadyYouTube]

Yes! I have no idea why this happens but If I have my hand and arm In my tank for more than a minute I get a burning sensation on my arm and get red lines and dots on the area that was underwater. I’m as lost as you are though on why it happens.

 

[Malifry97]

Yes! I have no idea why this happens but If I have my hand and arm In my tank for more than a minute I get a burning sensation on my arm and get red lines and dots on the area that was underwater. I’m as lost as you are though on why it happens.

Yea, it’s terrible! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one though.

 

[W1ngz]

It's not uncommon. There can be a lot of different bacteria and low level toxins in a reef aquarium. Gloves are always a good idea, for you and for your tank.

If you're really concerned, an allergist would be the best place to go.

 

[23Andy23]

Can I ask what salt you use? This happens to my girlfriend and mother but only with one salt.

 

[fishguy242]

which is giving a prob

 

[Greg P]

I've had this problem in the past. I don't get it when I submerge my skin in newly-made saltwater, only with tank water, and only after I've disturbed the sand.

I feel my issue is due to either Dinos or some kind of Vibrio/Marine infection.

Further testing and so forth has not given me definitive results.

 

[ReefReadyYouTube]

Can I ask what salt you use? This happens to my girlfriend and mother but only with one salt.

Red Sea coral pro

 

[Malifry97]

which is giving a prob

Can I ask what salt you use? This happens to my girlfriend and mother but only with one salt.

I’m using Instant Ocean

 

[Malifry97]

It's not uncommon. There can be a lot of different bacteria and low level toxins in a reef aquarium. Gloves are always a good idea, for you and for your tank.

If you're really concerned, an allergist would be the best place to go.

I’m not super concerned...was mainly just curious if it happens to other people or if someone knew why.

 

[23Andy23]

I’m using Instant Ocean

Have you tried switching salts and seeing if it stops?

 

[Malifry97]

Have you tried switching salts and seeing if it stops?

No, at this point, I just wear gloves because 1) IO is much cheaper and other salt isn’t in my budget ATM
2) my coral likes IO so I’m not gonna change.

Maybe someday I will change just not at the moment

 

[MichaelReefer]

Could be a chemical burn. Did you get it wet at all?

 

[Malifry97]

Could be a chemical burn. Did you get it wet at all?

Did I get what wet? I’m not sure what the question is.

 

[destro]

The owner of a LFS I know has the same issue and have to wear gloves. You're not alone.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Did I get what wet? I’m not sure what the question is.

If you get the salt wet it can cause a chemical burn.

 

[Malifry97]

If you get the salt wet it can cause a chemical burn.

it’s also saltwater not just the salt.

 

[Wolf89]

Is it tank water or new water? Sounds like swimmers itch

 

[MTBake]

Could be sensitive skin. I get this occasionally. It usually happens when my skin is abnormally dry in the winter time.