Palytoxin Poisoning

[vetteguy53081]

My wife is an ER doctor and this has been a more common occurrence in her field of work in the last year or two. She is looking for a case study she read recently from an optho about it. I’m not a doctor and while she’s worked at coastal sites, these are creatures traveling long distances to places they shouldn’t be. It’s very hard to find a localized expert.

I wouldn’t tell my wife (she would worry) but about a month ago I was dragging Zoas and got squirted in the eye. It burned…like bad allergies…but I did not lose vision or have continuing issues after 6-12 hours.

While I've seen few cases working in trauma, the symptoms are often mis-diagnosed andnot enough is mentioned other than current symptoms when issue arises. I posted above the signs and symptoms and not sure why some are debating on severity. I even posted poison control's number. Each case will differ and should be taken seriously before secondary symptoms set in warranting need for respiratory services.

 

[_sludgefactory]

They can squirt and I've read stories about people getting it in the eye and going blind. I don't remember if it was permanent. Hopefully it's not and this is just a brief lesson in proper PPE.

 

[brandon429]

for sure I believe that can cause these symptoms. any direct physical transfer. *one has squirted me in the eye too before, I simply got lucky.

 

[srobertb]

While I've seen few cases working in trauma, the symptoms are often mis-diagnosed andnot enough is mentioned other than current symptoms when issue arises. I posted above the signs and symptoms and not sure why some are debating on severity. I even posted poison control's number. Each case will differ and should be taken seriously before secondary symptoms set in warranting need for respiratory services.

Agree. Sounds like every contact like this should be treated like it’s worth a trip to the ER. The ER doctor will most likely call poison control themselves for guidance. Spoke with my wife some more about it. She relayed a case where they couldn’t determine the cause. Didn’t flush the patients eyes. Patient got worse including breathing problems. Optho consult 5 days later and they still had toxin in their eye. Pets died. Wife and child also got very sick. All ended up in ICU.

 

[blecki]

I've had a run in with palytoxin very similar to your husband's, though only with one eye. I have assumed that I touched the coral, then touched my eye shortly after. I've recovered but it was not a pleasant experience. Now, I can't know for sure if it was palytoxin, but I do know there's plenty of other gunk in there. Please take this seriously whatever it is.

I got it from "Captain America" Palys, which structurally looks very much like it could be a morph of toxica. Your picture looks enough like heliodiscus to me that I would avoid them.

 

[sfin52]

Hello

I’m nee here because it’s actually my husbands hobby but I’m freaking out so any advice welcome.
Earlier today he removed a large rock with these zoas on. He broke the rock as it came out and we didn’t think anything of it until about 2hours later his eye started to burn and itch. It swelled right up and has produced discharge so he went to a&e. They have flushed it and given him some drops to use at home. The eye specialist said he is about 98% blind in one eye and the other one may get worse over night tonight but he can still see out of it.


I’m guessing this must have been airbourne poisoning??

I’ve had a metallic taste in my mouth all day and a salty taste around my mouth/lips but otherwise completely fine. Our toddler was also in the room but he’s only two years old so he can’t answer any questions but he seems fit and well too.

This is where my stupid question comes into it…if it was airbourne then will it be all over my sofas etc because the tank is in our lounge. Or is it instant poisoning then stops?? I’m worried that we are all sat next to the tank this evening and possibly breathing more in??

also does anyone have any stories of their vision recovering?

If you’ve reached this far in my garbled story then thank you

Any updates

 

[killer2001]

I always wear gloves and eye protective gear anytime I'm working with corals, regardless if its zoas/palys or not. Good habit to have.