I'm allergic to zoas!!!!!

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joshporksandwich

joshporksandwich

Zoa addict
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I've noticed that for the last 6 months every time I frag the day after I wake up with flu like symptoms. I fragged a lot for RAP orlando and i was almost 3 weeks like this.
Runny nose and Nose totally clogged (buggers all over the place)
lots of sneezing
slight headache

I wear gloves and glasses. Next time I frag I will wear a mask and see what happens. I've heard of people getting the same symptoms when they use a saw to cut corals but never from zoas. Let me know if any of you have experienced anything like this......
 
Nutramar Foods
it's the toxen in zoa's. it can be deadly. Wear gloves and face shield when fragging them. You must be getting it on you some how. Gloves a must and you definitely don't want it in your eyes

Try wearing the long gloves to your elbow then rinse them off before taking off so not to get anything on your hands
 
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When coral stuff gets breathed in is when it can do the most damage. There was a thread were a guy literally boiled live rock in his house, he ended up in the hospital.
 
Nutramar Foods
DUDE is right that would totally suck for you Josh, and then would have to change up your new Tank Build Thread to something "My Beautiful Brown Kenya Tree DOMINATED 210g kind of a Reeftank"

Seriously though you want to be very careful and concerned at this point. My neighbor, friend and fellow Reefkeeper had to get mostly out of the Hobby because of severe reactions to paly toxins. You might try and take some anti-histamines prior to working with them, may block the reactions.

Cheers, Todd
 
ReefBot Lab, Automated Water Tester
It might be a reaction to a specific Zoanthid or Palys type.

When I would work in my tank and manually move or manipulate a certain Zoanthid colony my arm would turn read and break out in minor welts, I would experience some numbness and tingling as well. I removed that colony and never experienced the problem again.

Each exposure to an antigen can initiate a more severe reaction, it the catalyst affect. Take some Benadryl next time just prior, if you do not experience the same symptoms after working with the zoanthids and taking the Benadryl then it is most likely an allergic reaction.
 
Lol, lollipolyps?
But seriously...palytoxin can be nasty stuff. I remember that write up when the guy boiling liverock almost killed his family, including the dog from the toxic fumes emitted from the organisms being boiled. The sea is full of critters that have no other defense other than being poisonous to other organisms...including us!
I don't know if zoas and pals can atomize their toxins(like a fart) but the toxin can be absorbed through the skin. Even if you're wearing gloves, if you touch your face or any exposed skin with the gloved up hand, then you may have exposed yourself. Just to be safe try wearing a surgical/dust mask and long sleeves when you frag next time...see what happens.
 
This is very dangerous for you, I will have to remove all zoas from your property to save you. be there today.
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
Top Shelf Aquatics
joshporksandwic said:
I've noticed that for the last 6 months every time I frag the day after I wake up with flu like symptoms. I fragged a lot for RAP orlando and i was almost 3 weeks like this.
Runny nose and Nose totally clogged (buggers all over the place)
lots of sneezing
slight headache

I wear gloves and glasses. Next time I frag I will wear a mask and see what happens. I've heard of people getting the same symptoms when they use a saw to cut corals but never from zoas. Let me know if any of you have experienced anything like this......
Click to expand...

Nope... I drink a small vial of zoatoxin everyday to build up immunity. ZOA BLOOD RUNS THROUGH MY VEINS!!!!
 
Similar situation happened with me recently but I wasn't fragging, I had a few frags of mindblowers (protopaly's) with algea growing on the frags so I dipped them in high concentration hydrogen peroxide mixed with tank water for a few minutes. Anyway, I happen to take a big wiff over top of the dixie cup the corals were in by accident and I instantly started having sinus and breathing issues for hours. Chugged lots of water and took benydryl and some nyquil and woke up better but still had flu like symptoms for a few days. I'm thinking it was the algea that released a lot of the toxins and not the paly's but I'm for sure being more carefull the next time.
 
joshporksandwic said:
I've noticed that for the last 6 months every time I frag the day after I wake up with flu like symptoms. I fragged a lot for RAP orlando and i was almost 3 weeks like this.
Runny nose and Nose totally clogged (buggers all over the place)
lots of sneezing
slight headache

I wear gloves and glasses. Next time I frag I will wear a mask and see what happens. I've heard of people getting the same symptoms when they use a saw to cut corals but never from zoas. Let me know if any of you have experienced anything like this......
Click to expand...

Figured by now "you" would be one that has grown to adapt the toxin and it not effect you anymore
 
Tidal Gardens
They are toxic. Don't frag them without wearing a mask to prevent breathing any mist that is airborne if you are using a band saw. Wear gloves, and proper eye protection. Of course, do not touch your face while fragging. This should prevent you from getting paly toxin poisoning. Also, make sure to wash your hands after you are finished.

I used to work at AquaSD here in San Diego. I got it once and that was enough. I had the same symptoms you had. It started as a respiratory response, then turned into flu like symptoms about 2 hours later. I felt fine by the next day but I felt like someone had run me over with a big rig.

If you are getting the runny nose and sneezing, you are breathing it in some how. Good luck Josh!
 
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Similar to my reaction to palytoxin. I also get congested with a cough. In the winter when the house is closed up just irritating the palys during a water change is enough to give me symptoms.
 
I got some zoa juice in the eye.. That didn't sound good but anyway it messed me up pretty bad for a day or two... I was dizzy and was forgetful as all get out.
My eye was all bloodshot and things were spinning.. I had no idea what was going on at first...
 
When fraging zoas or palys, I lately have been doing it under water. I have this major fear of juice getting in my eyes, lol. I also wear gloves when doing this. I feel it may be less stressful on them when under water therefore no zoa juice.
 
Similar situation here, I used to wear gloves & goggles but I found I was still getting stinging eyes, slight headache & runny nose. I now frag without them as the protection made no difference to myself.
 

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