phorensic Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Ripped a big hangnail off, went to SW-CFM, bought some frags, put them in tank and rearranged the tank all day. I was doing all kinda of things, so my hands were in the water all day. I also glued some Nuclear Green Paly's and some Purple Death Paly's....which obviously got pissed and slimed all over my hands. I wake up the next morning to a swollen finger with red skin....CRAP! Paly toxin or something! Start taking Amoxicillin right away because A) I read multiple posts about coral infections and then using Amoxicillin, and B ) I'm between jobs = no insurance....awesome, right? Wrong antibiotic! Wrong diagnosis! Folks! Go see a doctor! The infection started spreading up into my hand the next day....Oh crap. Elbow started getting sore, then shoulder. Head started hurting, although that was probably more from all the nurses in training I work with screaming at me "GO SEE A DOCTOR, YOU CAN DIE!!!" So I go see a doctor. Everyone is like...OMG. Doctor has actually treated many aquarium related infections and perscribes me to no less than EIGHT WEEKS of ultra mega antibiotics. Rifampin and Clarithromycin. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, fever, dizzyness, short of breath, and on and on...Oh and NUCLEAR ORANGE PEE!!!...Of which I have all of them. But guess what, my hand is starting to get less swollen and red! Gotta take this stuff seriously folks. It took a school full of nurses and a diver to scare me enough to do the right thing. Damn my wallet feels light, anybody want to buy some coral? Link to comment
seabass Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Sorry to hear that! Treatment really wrecks the bacteria in your digestive system. Reminds me of a fairly recent post where it was recommended (to beginners no less) not to wear gloves. Thanks for posting, it might help a few more people protect themselves when handling coral (man up and wear some gloves guys). Got any pics? edited for late night spelling Link to comment
neanderthalman Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 If it were palytoxin, you wouldn't be posting about it. FYI. The warning about the seriousness of infections from the bacteria in our tanks is highly appropriate. Take heed people. Phorensic was lucky and didn't lose his hand. Yet. Link to comment
Deleted User 6 Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 I, too, request pics. Link to comment
phorensic Posted March 25, 2010 Author Share Posted March 25, 2010 No pics, sorry. It looked boring. It looked like I slammed my hand in a door. Very swollen and red. It was very hot around the area that was infected. It was spreading about 1-2" every 12 hours. It worked well to pick up on chicks, too....like, "Hey what's wrong with your finger!" "Ah, nothin'...just a life threatening infection from my awesome CORAL REEF". I bet you can imagine where the convo's went from there, lol. Link to comment
seabass Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 It worked well to pick up on chicks...Without pictures, it didn't happen. Link to comment
organism Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Ouch, that sucks! A friend of mine almost lost a finger the same way, glad to hear that you caught it in time. Link to comment
OClownsandNanos Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Sorry to hear about it, sounds awful. Hope you get better soon. I try to wear gloves too, but the gloves I can actually do finer stuff with are not long enough when I'm working at the bottom of the tank, so they get tank water in them anyway. Your sad story gives me more incentive to try to find a longer pair of gloves just in case. Try to eat yogurt also while taking your meds and after you're done with them. Helps with the digestive system in replenishing needed bacteria. Good luck! Link to comment
cheryl jordan Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 The owner of my LFS recieved a wound to his arm while cleaning tanks. Within a couple of hours, it became red and extremely painful to the touch. He called me and told me he had gone to a walkin clinic and they had given him a scrip for antibiotics, but he had developed a fever and the pain was becoming unbearable. I instructed him to go to the ER. His condition continued to decline despite IV antibiotics. They cultured the wound and it was Vibro vulnificus, which is typically seen in seafood poisioning. Although unusual to have a wound infection it can happen when working with SW system. Most people who present to the ER with this infection DIE within 48 hours post admission. He spent several days on a strong IV antibiotic therapy and nearly lost his arm and his life. Had he taken the advice of the walkin clinic he would have not survived. This was three months ago, and he still has the wound to his forearm, and the disease took it's toll and he is still recovering even today. If you even suspect you have an infection related to working with SW tanks, insist on a wound culture and be aggressive with regard to getting answers. Do not simply take the word of a one MD, you need to speak with a MD in Infectious Disease. http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/V.vulnificus.html http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1055523-overview Link to comment
kamikaze_fish Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Info like this should be stickied IMO Link to comment
cheryl jordan Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Info like this should be stickied IMO Read the links. Despite the fact that I provided information that can potentially keep hobbyist safer it is still recieved with hostility. If you need pics or a account by the LFS himself that can be provided. It is in no way IMO it is fact. I did my research, you should do yours and embrace advice such as this as it is intended, to assist others. Link to comment
kamikaze_fish Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Either you quoted because you're agreeing with me or you quoted cause you think I'm disagreeing with you but that's my point. More people need to be aware of these risks and instead of people saying "man up" like in the other thread, they should definitely be advising wearing gloves and trying even harder not to suck in old water, even on accident. Link to comment
cheryl jordan Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 My apologies then. Sometimes it gets to the point why even bother, but I thought it was important enough. Link to comment
Bonsai Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 I always wear gloves when handling or fragging corals -- bar none. To me, it's like wearing a seatbelt in the car -- you never know when you'll really need it, but if it can potentially save your life, you better wear it religiously. Link to comment
pismo_reefer Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Jesus, man!!! I have scrapes and cuts everytime I put mah hands in the tank.... Sorry to hear about this happening.... Friggin' ouch. Link to comment
pismo_reefer Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 i need to get gloves If you have a cut, it dont matter.... the water's gettin in there. Use PEROXIDE after you go tank-diving w/ cuts.... Link to comment
neanderthalman Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Read the links. Despite the fact that I provided information that can potentially keep hobbyist safer it is still recieved with hostility. Hostility? Where? Another thread? Link to comment
Deleted User 6 Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 paranoia strikes deep Link to comment
cheryl jordan Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Hostility? Where? Another thread? Glad you boys could stop by and spread your usual enthusiasm and support. It amazing though how you always come in groups, guess great minds think alike ? Link to comment
Psychosis Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Yea, when I volunteered at the Down Town Aquarium, you had to sit through a 2 hour lecture on diseases that can be communicated from salt water to humans, and sign a waiver maybe 12 times. Palytoxin scares you? Bah hum bug. Theres some crap you can potentially get that I thought I'd have to be in South America to be at risk for. Flesh Eating viruses, a very nasty microscopic worm that attacks your heart, Legionares Disease, Salmonella (of course), and that is the tip of the ice berg. I still don't wear gloves, all though I'll use some disinfectant on occasion when I get done. Its all a possibility, just like there is the potential to die every time you step foot outside. I'm not about to get paranoid about it. Link to comment
Deleted User 6 Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 i've played around in my tank so many times with open wounds that I should have died years ago. Link to comment
neanderthalman Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 Glad you boys could stop by and spread your usual enthusiasm and support. It amazing though how you always come in groups, guess great minds think alike ? Link to comment
nemmy Posted March 25, 2010 Share Posted March 25, 2010 paranoia strikes deep poopin on the thread again Link to comment
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