Palytoxin

[SourAngelfish]

I was helping with moving corals at the lfs today, we thought we had all the palys out and I got stung by one. I felt good for a good 5 hours and now I’m laying down and a little sore appeared where I got stung and I feel nauseous. Am I okay? I told my parents about it and that if I get really bad to just take me to the ER. I think I’m good though.

 

[Diesel]

I don’t think a paly can sting you .
The palytoxin is due to a release of toxin.
Maybe you got stung by a bristleworm or worse fireworm.

 

[SourAngelfish]

I don’t think a paly can sting you .
The palytoxin is due to a release of toxin.
Maybe you got stung by a bristleworm or worse fireworm.

by sting, I meant got on a cut. I squished while helping take down a tank.

 

[laverda]

I don’t think a paly can sting you .
The palytoxin is due to a release of toxin.
Maybe you got stung by a bristleworm or worse fireworm.

I agree. More information would really help a lot. Where do you think you got stung? Finger tips? Look at the area closely. Is the area swollen or red? Do you see what look like a bunch of very fine hairs sticking out of your skin? If so then it was most likely a bristle worm. Bristle worm bristles are calcium based and can cause swelling and a lot of pain for some people. Soaking your finger or where ever it is in vinegar will dissolve the fine bristles and help a lot in my experience. If that is not the case is it possible you have a cut there? If you do then it can easily get irritated and inflamed by handling toxic corals.

 

[Diesel]

Imo you’re ok but I’m no Dr.
If the problems persists during the next 3 hours I would advice you visit the ER.
The problems I have seen and read about us when it went airborne.
Eyes is always a problem and breathing it in due to ppl think you can cook live rock and the fumes go airborne due to the heat.

 

[SourAngelfish]

Finger tip, no bristles visible. The tip of my middle finger does not have skin on it so It’s pretty much open. Didn’t expect to be picking up any palys and I accidentally grabbed and squished it all over the finger that happens to have no skin. The paly stuck to the skin and I had to pull it off. It’s just formed a little blister where it happened and I feel some other nauseous symptom.

 

[SourAngelfish]

I’m probably just paranoid, I’m just not gonna do anything unless I start puking and stuff.