Aquarium allergies

[ReefQueen]

This thread is going to be about allergies related to our beloved reef tanks. I have recently been going through weird bouts of what we narrowed down to sinus infections (after being referred to my dentists and a dermatologist, even though I said I think it is sinus related, pffft) and my Dr mentioned an allergy could be causing it. I have never had any allergies and I am quite sure my tanks are not the issue, but it got me wondering if anyone else has ever had an allergy to something in or used in a tank. I know many people have worse reactions then others to stings from anemones and lions and such, but what about medications, or media and things like that? Has anyone ever had any allergic reactions that were caused by your aquarium?

 

[Sabellafella]

Get outa here really? I just went to the hospital 2 days ago for a crazy crazy sinus infection that im pretty sure is 100% reef related

 

[redfishbluefish]

I've never heard of being allergic to a saltwater tank, but I guess anything is possible. However, I'd be looking out the window at all that pollen. My car is coated with a light green/yellow coat of pollen...most likely from the pine trees. I just looked up pollen count in Pittsburgh and it is at 10.5....that's considered high (high = 9.7-12).

The other consideration is a big welcome to aging! While we age our bodies change, including seeing some allergies disappear, and others appear.

 

[Wiz]

I have been bare hand touching everything in my tank for 10 years.A few things will irritate my skin occasionally but never much of a problem. However my Elegance Coral is a different story. This one will cause me to be short of breath for a couple of hours Similar to chest congestion. and then cause a rash of liquid-filled bubbles on my arm up to my elbow. This rash is very itchy and I will scratch at it until it is sores. Usually goes away after about 2 or 3 weeks. I recently had to move my Elegance because it was fighting with my Pearl bubble. I had to touch it quite a bit. This is the result six days later

 

[ReefQueen]

Get outa here really? I just went to the hospital 2 days ago for a crazy crazy sinus infection that im pretty sure is 100% reef related

I don't think mine is reef related, but could you elaborate with your symptoms and suspects? I would guess seasonal except mine has been going on for almost 2 months.

 

[brandon429]

That's fascinating documentation and tie in to reef items nice thread.


I believe we aerosolize many strains of bacteria doing common reef work, especially anyone dosing peroxide on things, and if they land on compromised mucous membranes via inhalation I fully believe minor infections can result if not histamine-type reactions above.

Getting the bacteria vibrio, highly common in reef tanks, in open wounds via poky live rock or vectored by stings is distinctly more risky than other types of marine bacteria that may cause infection but are not classified as pathogens. Vibrio infections are not common in reefing, buy they can be serious when applicable. Using gloves and hand washing post... and no broken skin in the reef tank are core considerations for vibrio prevention.

Of all possible biosystems a human could keep in a house as pets, a reef tank supports the widest and strangest array and alternating generations of bacteria and organisms, the potential for allergy in any form is high. Mostly our immune systems just deal with perimeter breachers.

 

[ReefQueen]

I've never heard of being allergic to a saltwater tank, but I guess anything is possible. However, I'd be looking out the window at all that pollen. My car is coated with a light green/yellow coat of pollen...most likely from the pine trees. I just looked up pollen count in Pittsburgh and it is at 10.5....that's considered high (high = 9.7-12).

The other consideration is a big welcome to aging! While we age our bodies change, including seeing some allergies disappear, and others appear.

I seriously doubt mine is related to my tanks, but it just got me wondering lol. Thanks for remind me I am getting older hahaha but our bodies do change every few years they say. I am the lucky kind of person that ends up being a medical anomaly also. If it's rarely seen, I will somehow get it. You should have seen me when I was pregnant with my son. I literally had every unusual thing that could happen to a pregnant woman. Ever hear of puppps? It's the worst thing that I have ever gone through, and it's supposed to be super rare too lol.

 

[ReefQueen]

I have been bare hand touching everything in my tank for 10 years.A few things will irritate my skin occasionally but never much of a problem. However my Elegance Coral is a different story. This one will cause me to be short of breath for a couple of hours Similar to chest congestion. and then cause a rash of liquid-filled bubbles on my arm up to my elbow. This rash is very itchy and I will scratch at it until it is sores. Usually goes away after about 2 or 3 weeks. I recently had to move my Elegance because it was fighting with my Pearl bubble. I had to touch it quite a bit. This is the result six days later

Ouch! You should invest in some sturdy gloves lol. I have touched everything in my tank from anemones to bristleworms at some point and have never had a reaction. Looking at those pics I am glad lol

 

[Sabellafella]

I don't think mine is reef related, but could you elaborate with your symptoms and suspects? I would guess seasonal except mine has been going on for almost 2 months.

My lymphnodes neck and ears are both killing me, and my head still for the last few day feels like a cold breeze is running over it. Top it off i smoke ciggorettes so my throats killing me. Theres nasty nasty strains of bacteria in our tanks, i splashed liverock/zoa/bubble algae juice in my eyes + mouth about 5 times last week and maybe contribute it to that? Never in my life have i took penicillin so ill just wait it out with some advil hopefully

 

[ReefQueen]

That's fascinating documentation and tie in to reef items nice thread.


I believe we aerosolize many strains of bacteria doing common reef work, especially anyone dosing peroxide on things, and if they land on compromised mucous membranes via inhalation I fully believe minor infections can result if not histamine-type reactions above.

Getting the bacteria vibrio, highly common in reef tanks, in open wounds via poky live rock or vectored by stings is distinctly more risky than other types of marine bacteria that may cause infection but are not classified as pathogens. Vibrio infections are not common in reefing, buy they can be serious when applicable. Using gloves and hand washing post... and no broken skin in the reef tank are core considerations for vibrio prevention.

Of all possible biosystems a human could keep in a house as pets, a reef tank supports the widest and strangest array and alternating generations of bacteria and organisms, the potential for allergy in any form is high. Mostly our immune systems just deal with perimeter breachers.

Oh I totally forgot about vibrio, it is one of my biggest fears lol. I try my hardest to keep my hands out of the tank if I have any wounds (which is almost always with how clumsy I am lol). I am sure that anyone could be allergic to something in the tank, a particular brand of salt or food. I believe people who are allergic to bees are prone to having worse reactions to scorps and nems. I am basing this on one person I know who seems to constantly be getting stung in her tanks, resulting in an ER visit, and is also allergic to bees though haha

 

[ReefQueen]

My lymphnodes neck and ears are both killing me, and my head still for the last few day feels like a cold breeze is running over it. Top it off i smoke ciggorettes so my throats killing me. Theres nasty nasty strains of bacteria in our tanks, i splashed liverock/zoa/bubble algae juice in my eyes + mouth about 5 times last week and maybe contribute it to that? Never in my life have i took penicillin so ill just wait it out with some advil hopefully

Man that sucks! Zoa juice is definitely not something you want near your face! I hope you feel better soon. I kind of wish I had your symptoms though lol. Mine are pain and swelling of the right side of my face. I look like half a chipmunk hahaha. Antibiotics are the only thing that helps, but I can't be on them constantly:/

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I honestly don't think it's tank related, unless you are somehow getting mold buildup around/under the tank. Maybe it's increasing the humidity in the room, changing the dynamics. With your tank around, are you collecting more dust than usual? Everything all nice and vacuumed around the wires and such?

The thing about scorp venom and bee venom isn't true.... you'll read it everywhere, I know.

 

[ReefQueen]

I honestly don't think it's tank related, unless you are somehow getting mold buildup around/under the tank. Maybe it's increasing the humidity in the room, changing the dynamics. With your tank around, are you collecting more dust than usual? Everything all nice and vacuumed around the wires and such?

The thing about scorp venom and bee venom isn't true.... you'll read it everywhere, I know.

Oh I am 99% sure it is not either. I just got to thinking when my Dr mentioned trying to single out what the issue could be and I thought it would be an interesting topic so the scorp/been thing is an old wives tale? I only personally know one person who has been stung by a scorp and they just so happens to also be allergic to bees. Lucky for them haha

 

[that Reef Guy]

Get outa here really? I just went to the hospital 2 days ago for a crazy crazy sinus infection that im pretty sure is 100% reef related

Why do you think it is 100 percent reef related?

 

[that Reef Guy]

I've never heard of being allergic to a saltwater tank, but I guess anything is possible. However, I'd be looking out the window at all that pollen. My car is coated with a light green/yellow coat of pollen...most likely from the pine trees. I just looked up pollen count in Pittsburgh and it is at 10.5....that's considered high (high = 9.7-12).

The other consideration is a big welcome to aging! While we age our bodies change, including seeing some allergies disappear, and others appear.

One person actually told me they are Allergic to the Saltwater Itself and that is why they can only have Freshwater Tanks!

I feel so Bad for Him.

 

[ReefQueen]

One person actually told me they are Allergic to the Saltwater Itself and that is why they can only have Freshwater Tanks!

I feel so Bad for Him.

That is the worst thing I have ever heard! I wonder if maybe it is the brand of salt he was using, or is he is allergic to all of it? like even the ocean! Oh man that would be horrible.

 

[that Reef Guy]

That is the worst thing I have ever heard! I wonder if maybe it is the brand of salt he was using, or is he is allergic to all of it? like even the ocean! Oh man that would be horrible.

No Clue just what he told me.

He said he loved Saltwater Tanks but could not keep any for that reason (He simply cannot Touch the Water).

I don't know which Brand he was using but most likely it was Instant Ocean / Reef Crystals due to the fact that is what most people use.

 

[ReefQueen]

No Clue just what he told me.

He said he loved Saltwater Tanks but could not keep any for that reason (He simply cannot Touch the Water).

I don't know which Brand he was using but most likely it was Instant Ocean / Reef Crystals due to the fact that is what most people use.

Man I feel for him! I think if it came down to it, I would hire someone to do my maintenance. But that does take away a lot of the fun of having a reef tank

 

[Sabellafella]

This might be a dumb question, but what if people are deathly allergic to shellfish and are constantly touching liverock/crustaceans.? Would they get an reaction from just simply putting there hand in a tank?

One person actually told me they are Allergic to the Saltwater Itself and that is why they can only have Freshwater Tanks!

I feel so Bad for Him.

 

[ngvu1]

I have had nasal allergy for the last 20 years in the US. Did not have this when I was in Asia or maybe it is the age. When I put the salt in the water bucket for mixing salt water, I avoid inhaling the white dust coming up as I pour down the salt. Inhaling that thing is not good and I would be sneezing for hours after!