Has cleaning your aquarium made you physically ill?

[Diver_1298]

Let's see... A Fire coral rash on my right knee. A Portuguese Man-o-war sting on my left hand. That took about 3 weeks to heal (and yes the ultra hot water was the only thing that relieved the pain)
Minor fish bites and a couple of anemone stings (no big deal)
But all of this happened while diving on Florida's reef's

Jim

[Airborneguy]

lillys grandad, that sounds like you might be allergic to shellfish, like me. If I touch any shrimp, clams, crabs (even the hermits), I get a nasty reaction for a few hours. It's been mild lately, but they say it gets worse over time. I might have to leave shrimp out of the tank if it gets much worse and jsut avoid the snails and hermits like crazy!

[lillys Grandad]

airborneguy,
I have had (in the past) a mild reaction when "eating" shrimp(too much)....I did not associate the two....raising them and eating them... hmmm
Since I have been using the gloves I have had no issues. But it is something I should be aware of...since I believe the concentration of whatever it is that causes the reaction is most likely more potent in the tank.
anyone have any input on this?

[tazzy695]

this didn't happen to me but to someone on another forum I am a member of they started getting a rash ever time they fed their fish well the dummy decided to rub it on his forarm to see if it was the food or just somthing in the tank or somthing altogether different

well long story short it put him in the hospital

[Executivelevel]

i had my long spined urchin, no to long ago, get really pissed at me and SHOT about 10 quills out at me and the wife when we were tearing a tank down!!!! it was avery close call, too close actually, the urchin is back at the LFS!!

[Airborneguy]

I am severely allegic to shellfish, so I avoid touching the snails or shrimp in my tanks. I also try to limit their use in general. Its the iodine by the way that you are allergic to, so the water itself could cause a reaction.

[phoenixhieghts]

Originally Posted by Diver_1298

Let's see... A Fire coral rash on my right knee. A Portuguese Man-o-war sting on my left hand.


Jim

You keep a man-o-war in your tank??

LOL did you know that a jelleyfish sting is alkaline based so anything acidic would nuetralize the pain? The best example is vinegar!
Next time your stung, no matter how powerful the sting is, vinegar will neuatralize it. But if you dont have vinegar to hand - just get someone to pee on you!