Anyone ever get stung by Aiptasia?

[gar732]

It sounds like a dumb question, my understanding has always been that human skin it too thick for aiptasia sting to be of any effect. I have had a reef tank for 17yrs and have never had a problem, however I was cleaning my tank yesterday and scraped an aiptasia off an acrylic frag rack. I felt a tiny prick along the edge of my thumb nail. Not bad at all and I didn't think much about it. When I went to bed it developed into a dull ache, still not worried about it. This morning I have steady pain in my thumb and the pain increases with if I put any pressure on it. The dull ache has extended into my hand. The only thing I can think of is that maybe the skin in thinner along the edge or under my thumbnail? Anyone ever have a reaction like this to aiptasia?

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

i think its bacteria from the water that is infecting your hand. i would have it looked at and maybe get antibiaotics.

 

[amps]

I can't imagine an aiptasia would do that but there's a ton of other nasty stuff living in your tank. Get to the doctor and have it looked at dude!

I was cleaning a powerhead the other day and scraped some coraline off with my thumb nail. Well I guess some got stuck under my nail and a few days later, my thumb hurt like hell. Finally had to get a doctor to dig under my nail to remove it and then went on antibiotics for a few days until the infection calmed down.

 

[gar732]

You guys maybe right. I've actually had an infection from the tank before but I had a scratch that got infected last time. This time there are no wounds at all and I was clearing out algae and aiptasia off the acrylic, no crazy scrubbing.

 

[cpvince]

My hand has brushed up against aiptasia plenty of times before and I've never had a problem. But any kind of tiny wound on your hand can lead to an infection if you're scraping or stirring up a bunch of stuff in your tank. Maybe it happened unknowingly while you clearing off algae?

 

[rock_lobster]

dont think they can sting humans not powerful enough

 

[gar732]

It's definitely an infection at this point. I'll have to make an appointment with the dr tomorrow. I had no wounds at all in my hand and the infection is centered at the site of the pin prick. If it wasn't the aiptasia that stung me it was something else that was amongst it. Though I don't know what could have stung me that was small enough not to be seen.

 

[rock_lobster]

If you have

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Vomiting

Then go to the ER right away.

 

[Tahoe61]

If you have

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Vomiting

Then go to the ER right away.

Exactly, but if there is redness and any drainage to the site you need to go anyway. These infections can get out of control quickly. Do not be dismissed by hospital staff, and ask to see an infectious disease MD, provide as much detail as you can as to your current exposure while working in a sw tank.

 

[allan_t]

ya… they do sting.
My arm rubbed against some when I was reaching something in the sump.