How to suffer from Palythoa Toxicity

flricordia · Mar 16, 2009

Palythoa toxicity! I am getting to be an expert. I was fragging some purple deaths last night and just as they were getting good and slimy my blade slipped and went through my surgical glove and into my finger. Not much, barely even broke the skin.
Last night it didn't bother me at all, just a tingling but today, man oh man, I have been suffering.
Finger is all swollen, eyes are bloodshot and pimples popping up like crazy.
When will I ever learn? It ain't fun.
USE HEAVY GLOVES! I know I will from now on. The pain and suffering isn't worth it, course I can't count the number of times I have said that to myself, but maybe this time as the symptoms seem to get worst each time. I think I am going to lie down for a bit now.

Hypertek99 · Mar 16, 2009

Wow I have been fragging zoas for years now and never got any effects from paly toxins. I even frag when i have cuts on my hands and i never wear gloves.

Spiderwoman · Mar 16, 2009

I've had mild reactions with no cuts in my fingers... little burning and itching. I'm very sensitive and have only lately started wearing gloves.

pakora · Mar 16, 2009

Feel better bro!

rebelprettyboy · Mar 16, 2009

Dang Mike. Get better

star27624 · Mar 16, 2009

Get to feeling better Mike.

I can empathize, I can't handle zoas and palys bare handed without tasting an awful metallic taste, and a tingly tongue to go with it for an hour or so afterwards.

ecotoxlady · Mar 16, 2009

I hope you feel better soon flricordia! I can definitely say that even if you have never had a reaction before, the next time you just might and it is as Mike described, horrible! I learned that lesson the hard way.

Aloha Corals · Mar 16, 2009

I take extra precautions with protopalythoas for that reason... the slime. Most zoas and palys take in water as an anemone would do. This water is usually what you see squirt. The protopalythoas and their slime is something the coral is producing.

You should take precautions handling any zoa or paly, but be extra careful with protos.

To add to Spiderwoman's comment... If you are naturally allergic to things I would be careful. Bee's, Food, etc.

Hypertek99 · Mar 16, 2009

Hmm i better start wearing goggles and gloves. I just get lazy and forget.

GrouperGenius · Mar 16, 2009

Hang in there Mike and be more careful in the future. We need good ones like you.....now get back in there and frag me up some of those Nuclear Green Palys. :kiss: You know I'm goofin'.

That toxin is nothing to play with. Like anything else, you can be lucky just so long.

vetteman · Mar 16, 2009

If you don't make it can I have your corals?

flricordia · Mar 16, 2009

vetteman said:
If you don't make it can I have your corals?

Real funny!
Sorry, but I believe I am going to pull through.
I took some anti-inflammatory and put a cold pack on my finger and feel so much better.
Lesson learned I hope. Now, back to fragging.
But seriously pple that don't use gloves, as aloha stated, protopalythoas are not one to take lightly. Their slime has gotten me several times before and it isn't fun. One time my finger had swollen for near a week. If I hadn't had surgical gloves on I am sure the cut would have been deeper and more serious.
Next mission in life, to find tough gloves that I can frag in yet still safely hold zoanthids without damaging them.
Any ideas? Something found in local grocery/hardware store?

vetteman · Mar 16, 2009

I have some grandis.... maybe they will put you over the edge :beated:

Zoalover34 · Mar 16, 2009

What's the difference between pallys and protopallys? Can someone make a name list or something to help people tell the difference?

flricordia · Mar 16, 2009

Zoalover34 said:
What's the difference between pallys and protopallys? Can someone make a name list or something to help people tell the difference?

Protopalythoas slime up when removed form the water. Purple Deaths, Nuke Greens just to name a few.

AquaWorldPSC · Mar 16, 2009

We frag over 300 zoa frags every month and I have had mild cut but kept fragging. Maybe some people don't get symptoms?

flricordia · Mar 17, 2009

AquaWorldPSC said:
We frag over 300 zoa frags every month and I have had mild cut but kept fragging. Maybe some people don't get symptoms?

I don't ever have problems from any other zoanthid types. Protos are really nasty though if you get the slime in an open wound. Zoanthus, parazoabthus and palythoas have never give me a reaction, just those nasty, slimy, wonderful and always beautiful protos.

Aloha Corals · Mar 17, 2009

AquaWorldPSC said:
We frag over 300 zoa frags every month and I have had mild cut but kept fragging. Maybe some people don't get symptoms?

My theory on this is allergies... only a theory, keep in mind.

I have a friend that got stung pretty bad from RBTA. red legions, bubbles like he was burned even. I have always handled mine in the past with no issues.

I, like you mention, have never had the slightest of symptoms... I don't frag as much as you do but do frag more than the average guy.

I have no allergies at all. no food, no animals, anything... My wife on the other hand will be dead in less than 5 minutes if stung by a bee. Needless to say she doesn't go anywhere near my zoas and palys. Or the tank for that matter.

AquaWorldPSC, do you have any allergies?

er1c.the.reefer · Mar 17, 2009

it's probably not palytoxin poisoning, more likely it's bacteria infection.

if it's red, swollen, itching, or has some sort of pus or serum drainage, it's probably bacterial in nature. if you're having palpitations, rapid heart beats, and can barely breathe or are not currently breathing, it's probably palytoxin poisoning.

bacterial infections are serious nonetheless. if it get's worse, go see a doctor for antibiotics. there's strains of marine bacteria that can cause massive subcutaneous tissue necrosis that may require amputation. Vibrio comes to mind.