Aquarium allergies

[ReefQueen]

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?

I don't think it's a dumb question. I would really like to know the answer to this one. Anyone have shellfish allergies?

 

[ReefQueen]

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!

You are allergic to the US lol. Let's all go to Asia, maybe we can get a discount on airfare if enough of us go lol. Airfare group buy anyone?

 

[ngvu1]

I think when people are saying they have allergy to shell fish, they refer to putting the allergic reactors in the mouth and trying to consume those. We don't do that to our reefs' shellfish. At least I have not heard about that before. We are talking about reef related allergy only right

I don't think it's a dumb question. I would really like to know the answer to this one. Anyone have shellfish allergies?

 

[PurpleTreeSpiders]

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.

Just had to commiserate with you on the pupps. I was super fortunate to get it with both of my boys and you are absolutely correct. Worst. Thing. Ever.

 

[ReefQueen]

Just had to commiserate with you on the pupps. I was super fortunate to get it with both of my boys and you are absolutely correct. Worst. Thing. Ever.

Oh boy, twice?! How did you live? lol I won't lie, that alone is making me think that my boy is going to be an only child haha. But these babies all my friends are having are really testing that thought I hear it is more common with boys too. But I think pupps is much easier to deal with then a teenager girl hahaha.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

No, people won't get a reaction from sticking their hands in the tank if they are allergic to shellfish.

No one is allergic to saltwater.... people can have sensitivities to the components, but it's not going to be an allergy, just simple contact dermatitis.

Ya, the bee venom/fish venom thing is an old wives tale. The components of the venom are nothing alike. Even if you're allergic to bees, you will not have an increased likelihood of being allergic to a lion, anymore than the person standing next to you. There's actually no documented cases of lion/scorp venom allergies.... go figure.

 

[alan j t]

My wife has a slight reaction to her skin if she helps me with my marine tanks. She has an extreme allergy to shell fish.

 

[Wiz]

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

Can't do gloves. Hate them. Gotta feel what I'm doing. And gloves make me clumsy. The rash is eritating but not horrible. Not enough to stop me yet. Lol at first I didn't think it was the elegans. But it happens everytime I touch that one coral. This was the time before.

 

[ReefQueen]

Can't do gloves. Hate them. Gotta feel what I'm doing. And gloves make me clumsy. The rash is eritating but not horrible. Not enough to stop me yet. Lol at first I didn't think it was the elegans. But it happens everytime I touch that one coral. This was the time before.

I hear ya, I have a pair that have never left the box lol. Very interesting that it is just that one coral.

 

[ReefQueen]

No, people won't get a reaction from sticking their hands in the tank if they are allergic to shellfish.

No one is allergic to saltwater.... people can have sensitivities to the components, but it's not going to be an allergy, just simple contact dermatitis.

Ya, the bee venom/fish venom thing is an old wives tale. The components of the venom are nothing alike. Even if you're allergic to bees, you will not have an increased likelihood of being allergic to a lion, anymore than the person standing next to you. There's actually no documented cases of lion/scorp venom allergies.... go figure.

Also very interesting. I like when old wives tales can be laid to rest what do you think about people with shellfish allergies touching shrimp or clams? I know my cleaner shrimp jumps on me anytime my hands are in the tank.

 

[Wiz]

I hear ya, I have a pair that have never left the box lol. Very interesting that it is just that one coral.

Lol. Yep, ten years. Touched every type of coral, Invert, nem, sponge, bug, worm you can think of. The elegans is the only one that gives me a reaction. My pearl bubble beats up my elegans but doesn't bother me. So I'm thinkin maybe an alergy to the sting of elegans. Not sure

 

[1fishjones]

I can't believe I just read this whole thread and no one mentioned Poly Toxin.
Nothing to see here, it's only the second deadliest toxin know to man. Do yourself and your tank a favor & always where gloves. And if you're going to be messing with Polys and or Zoas add a mask and eye protection.

 

[Sabellafella]

Why do you think it is 100 percent reef related?

It just all started after every single piece of bubble algae i popped on a zoa frag shot all over my face. I got zoa face swelling sick before and its deffinitly not that. Also im usually good at pointing out how i got a cold/cough, nothing out if the ordinary happened other then this. And i feel a sickness that ive never gotten before. I wouldve stayed home and never in my life would ever go to the hospital over something like that. Im just afraid its some crazy strain of bacteria thats going to hurt me and if it doesnt get better for a few more days ill see a specialist

Also always use college lab grade goggles with doofy gloves everytime i work with zoas. Still got it in my eyes

 

[Wiz]

I've fragged pink &golds, buttons, sand palys, sunny ds, and grandis. In tank and out. Had them "bleed" on me and in tank. Never had an issue. I've read the horrors. But unfortunately I'm a non believer until it happens to me. I've had so many things said that were not true for me. Hope it never bites me. Lol but don't touch bristle worms, nems, palys etc... done all that. No issue. Just my experience. Not advising or suggesting. And I'm sure ill take it back when I'm deathly ill.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I seriously would not worry about whatever you're feeling being connected with your tank, Sab. I'm not saying weird things can't happen, shoot, there was one of those advert flipping people killed by his sign. I'm sure he wasn't thinking THAT could happen when he got up that morning. Crazy things happen all the time, but don't jump to crazy before all other more common avenues have been walked.

 

[Kershaw]

I work with sheet metal allot so I always have cuts on my hands and arms. Some times I have this thought maybe I shouldn't put my hand in tank.... Then I say f*** it. I just don't have the mind set that when I walk up to my tank and a coral is nocked over or something, that need to put gloves on. I think or crap I need to pick that up. In my old tanks that where much older. I would randomly have a burning feel to my arm and it would get red. But I would say 1 out of 8 times my hand was in tank it would do that.

 

[Wiz]

I think its therapeutic. My cleaner and blood shrimp love to clean my skin and cuts. Lol

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I know someone who got the nasty myco infection from putting open cuts into the tank. Ya, definately gotta be careful with that. Gloves won't protect you, though, unless you're using those with the edges up to the armpits (and no other means of leaking).

I treated 2 fish that were loaded with myco for 6 months. Twice daily water siphon starts with the mouth and handling the fish with my hands twice a day outside of the water. I didn't know at the time time that's what they had, not that I would have changed my practice, but I did go O.O when I got the results.

Actually, I would have changed my practice.... I would not have started the siphon with my mouth.

 

[Wiz]

Those pics I posted of the sores from the rash..... that arm goes in every day. Lol

 

[Kershaw]

I always wondered what it was in water that seemed to irritate my skin. This tank I have now is almost a year old. And I have had no issues. I wonder what free swimming critter was getting me