Am I going to die?

[Humble_Reefer]

Sorry, my phone camera focus sucks. Put my hands in the overflow chamber to adjust some media bags and now my finger is swelling up and covered in bumps/hives. Is this something to be worried about?

 

[j.falk]

I would take some Benadryl asap.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

I dont think this is the place to look for health care advice. Take a benadryl or some allergy medication. If you start having breathing issues go to your local emergency.

 

[rwreef]

Well yes, but from this I'm not sure. Take some benadryl and see a doctor if it doesn't improve. R2R medical staff only treats fish not humans.

 

[Difrano]

If you feel sick call 911

 

[PicassoClown04]

Sorry, my phone camera focus sucks. Put my hands in the overflow chamber to adjust some media bags and now my finger is swelling up and covered in bumps/hives. Is this something to be worried about?

Definitely take an anti inflammatory immediately, try something cold to help with the pain and monitor your breathing carefully. If you have any respiratory distress at all definitely hop in the car and get to urgent care ASAP. I’m thinking possibly a bristleworm got you?

 

[ycnibrc]

Sometime if i put my hand and arm in the water too long i have rash and itchy. I just wash it with cold water and put some ice on it then it goes away.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

If you feel sick call 911

Yeah DO NOT go in your car and start driving if you in respiratory distress. Put other people's lives at risk. Take care

 

[EMeyer]

Looks like what happens to me anytime I touch a bristleworm. It goes down within 24 hours usually for me, but often keeps itching for a couple days. hate those things.

 

[Difrano]

Definitely take an anti inflammatory immediately, try something cold to help with the pain and monitor your breathing carefully. If you have any respiratory distress at all definitely hop in the car and get to urgent care ASAP. I’m thinking possibly a bristleworm got you?

Never get in the car by yourself if you are having an allergic reaction, it looks like a bristleworm got you, nothing bad will itch and go away, now the problem could be if you are allergic

 

[NYAquatic]

Not a doctor
But if swelling spreads
Go to hospital
Don’t fool around

 

[Humble_Reefer]

Looks like what happens to me anytime I touch a bristleworm. It goes down within 24 hours usually for me, but often keeps itching for a couple days. hate those things.

I was handling some rock earlier too... Maybe it happened then. Does it take a while to show up sometimes?

No breathing issues. Just swelling and itching. Thanks for the advice everyone. If I was seriously worried I would definitely go to the ER. I'll tell my wife now though just in case I drop dead in a few hrs. Jk

 

[vetteguy53081]

Paramedic nurse here:

Place finger in hydrogen peroxide and then hold on to an ice pack (20-30 mins). While doing that take 2-3 Ibuprofen which is also an anti0inflamatory.

Check also with magnifying or reading glasses:

• Stretch the affected skin area gently and apply an adhesive tape or a simple duct tape over it . Tiny portions from the tank are likely to get stuck to it.
• Self examine the wound under a hand lens. If you still notice any broken coral filament or any other foreign body inside, wash the affected area under cool water.
• This may wash it away. If it’s still there, you need sterilized needle or tweezers to carefully remove it.

If pain persists:

Cellulitis may have begun and occurs when the infection reaches into the deeper subcutaneous tissues spaces.

Signs:

• The area of skin affected is warm, red and slightly swollen.
• It is usually painful.
• You may see a red streak going up from the affected limb.

 

[joe0813]

Firefighter/EMT here, I agree with everything Vetteguy said. Id also take some Benadryl to help. If you do start seeing a red line then you will need to go to your doctor for medication. Any signs of breathing difficulty, have someone drive you or call an ambulance to get you to the hospital.

 

[proxy001]

Do you have palys/zoas?

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

You probably touched a bristleworm. Hot water, as hot as you can stand breaks down the proteins in most marine toxins (including palys, zoas, and fish spine venom) The sooner after a sting the better and obviously if you are having a serious reaction you should get medical assistance, but it will buy you some time

 

[miyags]

That happens to me when I touch anything with bristleworms. I take benadryl and use benadryl cream. Some one posted that vinegar helps?. It stops itching in a day or 2. I need to start wearing gloves more often.

 

[Humble_Reefer]

Paramedic nurse here:

Place finger in hydrogen peroxide and then hold on to an ice pack (20-30 mins). While doing that take 2-3 Ibuprofen which is also an anti0inflamatory.

Check also with magnifying or reading glasses:

• Stretch the affected skin area gently and apply an adhesive tape or a simple duct tape over it . Tiny portions from the tank are likely to get stuck to it.
• Self examine the wound under a hand lens. If you still notice any broken coral filament or any other foreign body inside, wash the affected area under cool water.
• This may wash it away. If it’s still there, you need sterilized needle or tweezers to carefully remove it.

If pain persists:

Cellulitis may have begun and occurs when the infection reaches into the deeper subcutaneous tissues spaces.

Signs:

• The area of skin affected is warm, red and slightly swollen.
• It is usually painful.
• You may see a red streak going up from the affected limb.

Firefighter/EMT here, I agree with everything Vetteguy said. Id also take some Benadryl to help. If you do start seeing a red line then you will need to go to your doctor for medication. Any signs of breathing difficulty, have someone drive you or call an ambulance to get you to the hospital.

Thanks so much guys. Will keep an eye out of these symptoms. Just the rash so far.

Do you have palys/zoas?

Many. Recently fragged colonies too (yesterday).

You probably touched a bristleworm. Hot water, as hot as you can stand breaks down the proteins in most marine toxins (including palys, zoas, and fish spine venom) The sooner after a sting the better and obviously if you are having a serious reaction you should get medical assistance, but it will buy you some time

Good to know. Gonna try this now.

 

[Humble_Reefer]

Okay, weird, now my wife has it on her hands too... Maybe not tank relater then... ?

 

[EMeyer]

That happens to me when I touch anything with bristleworms. I take benadryl and use benadryl cream. Some one posted that vinegar helps?. It stops itching in a day or 2. I need to start wearing gloves more often.

Its amazing how often I forget to wear gloves, considering the very strong reminder they give me when I forget. Still, a few days later, there I go again with no gloves... Someday I'll learn, in theory at least!