Fishtank First Aid - Anemone Sting?

[Missy Johnson]

This is a long shot, but when I was trying to salvage all our critters from the empty tank, I tried to pull out an anemone attached to the sandbed. He didn't come out but he sprayed all over my finger. (swift move barehanded - but I wasn't thinking too rationally) I didn't think it was a big deal until now it's all swelled up and throbbing. Did he sting me? What can I do to make it stop hurting?

 

[Josh]

Vinegar or lime juice may ease the pain of the sting immediately after.

Also, if you can, you should put shaving cream on the sting and use a shaving razor to shave to entire area. This will remove most of the nematocysts. It will only help in the first few hours though.

 

[cali_reef]

Rinse your hand under running water and go see a doctor right away. You don't want to mess around if you are allergic to it.

 

[Missy Johnson]

It was weird b/c it didn't sting when it squirted me, but now it is really swollen. I have to go home to help setup the new tank tonight but if it doesn't go down by tomorrow I'll go see my doctor.

 

[ctxmonitor]

I learn something new everyday.. What kind of anemone was that you touched?

 

[aaron]

Try running the sting under the hottest water you can stand. actually if you put a wash cloth around your hand and then run it under the water you can withstand slightly hotter temps.
A lot of marine toxins break their chemical bonds when subjected to heat. I had a box jellyfish sting a few years ago and wound up in hospital and that's what they did to me.

 

[Pseudo]

Aaron has the right answer. Also a antihistimine will help "sometimes". If the swelling persists or you feel dizzy or nausea, go to the doctor immediately.

 

[marrone]

I was at a wholesalers place one time and was picking up a rather large anemone. At first it was fine but then all of a sudden my whole arm started to burn. Turns out it was a fire anemone and the whole inside of my arm, from the wrist to the elbow was swollen and had little bumps. I run it under very hot water and then applied alcohol, some of which I drank, and it got rid of the swelling and pain. The area is still sensitive after all these years, which is about 17 years.

 

[Missy Johnson]

Thanks guys. I did the washcloth with hot water. It is better today, still swollen, but the throbbing has lightened up.

I don't know what kind of anemone it was. Eric bought it so he'll have to comment. It was attached to the sandbed - not the kind that attach into rocks.

Michael that is crazy. I don't think it burnt when it squirted me, but by that time I was just so relieved that the waterfall was over maybe I didn't notice.

Bad Coffee had the universal cure for all ailments - he brought over a 6-pack last night - lol!

I'm off to vacation in a few hours. It's about time! We set up the new 120 last night and most of the mess in the apt is under control