Laura Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I had to post this, as I have been up most of the night with throbbing pain...it felt like my hand was burning... I gave myself a nasty blister on my thumb by mowing the lawn on Sunday....I left the wound open, to heal, but also put NEW SKIN liquid bandage on it to keep it covered....I worked on my tanks for a couple of hours yesterday....cleaning, moving this or that...I did come in contact with many soft corals and a couple of anemones...I went to bed without any symptoms...I was awake at 12, 1 and 3AM, not being able to bear the pain and throbbing of my swollen thumb... I could not even bend it...I finally wrapped my hand in a cold cloth, took 800mg of Advil, and finally fell asleep.... today my thumb looks like this.........................ouch!!! Wear gloves or a tight bandage because palytoxin is a killer!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmanning Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 OUCH!! Laura....that looks infected....clean it w/Hydrogen peroxide and put some triple antiobiotic (neosporin). If the swelling doesn't go down or your feeling other symptoms, do seek medical help. Take care of yourself, girl. -Cindy- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisfowler99 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 http://thefilterguys...eef_sleeves.htm similar, but cheaper: http://www.enasco.com/product/C06271N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Saltwater by itself should help it heal. But letting corals rub all against it... not good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Eckreef Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Laura, You probably remember but I am a general surgeon as well as a wound specialist (though I have to admit I don't think I have ever seen a "marine" wound) I agree with Cindy's recommendations. Please give me a call if you have any questions or concerns. True palytoxin exposure is bad but you would know it if you had it...causes severe chest pain, trouble breathing. rapid heartrate and low blood pressure (feel light-headed) and is a medical emergency. John 254-624-fourteen 84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I had the same thing this weekend after having a cut on my finger and playing around with mounting some paly's I got at the meeting. I' probably going to have to have my girlfriend lance the wound and grab me some anti-biotics. I love having a partner that is a critical care nurse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Laura...I have some full arm sleeves that you can have. I don't use them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dweyant Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Some of the worst/longest to heal cuts I've ever had have been coral abrasions. I have gotten them a few times while diving, and even with a good triple antibiotic they seem to take a lot longer to heal than a normal cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishypets Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Looks like a liver spot to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Lamont Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Sorry to here about your woes and pains Laura. I just read about toxins this morning in a post from another reef club. i hope you start to feel better soon. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=158663&highlight=zoanthids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I once jabbed my hand on birdsnest and the tip broke off in the wound. It was horrible. But that is nothing compared to my buddy that went blind for 3 days after he barely brushed up against his dwarf lion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted March 30, 2010 Author Share Posted March 30, 2010 Looks like a liver spot to me. I'm old, but not THAT old!!!!! I'm gonna smack you, Clint!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted March 30, 2010 Author Share Posted March 30, 2010 Laura, You probably remember but I am a general surgeon as well as a wound specialist (though I have to admit I don't think I have ever seen a "marine" wound) I agree with Cindy's recommendations. Please give me a call if you have any questions or concerns. True palytoxin exposure is bad but you would know it if you had it...causes severe chest pain, trouble breathing. rapid heartrate and low blood pressure (feel light-headed) and is a medical emergency. John 254-624-fourteen 84 Thank YOU John...my gosh, I have non of those symptoms...whew!! I guess I should just keep it clean, keep an eye on it and thank EVERYONE who listened. I hoped I helped you all too with awareness............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishypets Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I'm old, but not THAT old!!!!! I'm gonna smack you, Clint!! I figured you'd get a kick out of that! I was only kidding ya know. Hope you recover soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starsprinkle Rainbowsmile Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 I have noticed with regularity, that if I work in my tank for any extended period of time, I will feel rundown/queasy the next day. I think gloves are a real good idea, even if its just precautionary. I have read that you can catch all sorts of marine diseases or toxins out of a reef environment, even if its rare. Nonetheless, I'm sure precaution is always prudent. Laura, I'm sorry to hear (and see) about your wound. I hope you feel better, and thanks for the warning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisfowler99 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 I figured you'd get a kick out of that! I was only kidding ya know. Hope you recover soon. Please don't get your house blowed up before I get my frags!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Feel better Laura. Next time put Carmine to work and make him mow the yard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Vash Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 NANA! You have to get better asap. I'll feel bad about making fun of you if you're in the hospital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted March 31, 2010 Author Share Posted March 31, 2010 Hey guys....I'm starting to get back in the swing....thank you for all your well wishes, texts and phone calls....ALL of you....callahan, thank you for not showing up with your camera... but honestly, I would have welcomed it if were to prevent anyone in our hobby with the mess I got myself into last night. We did take pix, callahan, and I have a full report. I would have gotten on soon to post, but vicodin is my best friend. I have to personally thank John, eckreef, for calling on me last night to check on my condition. We knew it was time for me to go to the ER. The final prognosis is cellulitis and acute lymphangitis to the right hand...aka..."wear gloves you stupid *****!!" I was very lucky, and was told several times, as the red streaking was up to my elbow. They moved my status up to NEXT in the waiting room...I kinda felt special, but not really..:(The worst part was having an allergic reaction to one of the antibiotic IV's and having a doctor stand and watch your vitals hoping you continue to breath. I was never so scared in my whole life... Please guys, as stubborn as I am, I will NEVER, EVER put my hands in my tanks with an open wound, not even a hang-nail....this all could have been prevented.....the first photo is to show how quickly the infection went downhill, in just a couple of hours after posting the first one!! The second shows streaking in the arm as the infection is traveling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viet-tin Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 How scary! Glad to hear youre doing better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 L- I'm glad you are ok and I have your full arm gloves waiting for you. Can I bring you a zoa frag to help you feel better? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbnj Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 This is why I don't keep zoas. I'm not even fond of the way they look, so why would I want to risk suffering personal injury from them? Granted, a lot of things in our tanks can cause an infection to an open wound, but these guys always seem to be the suspected culprits. Best wishes on a speedy recovery, Mama. Sell those zoas and get some SPS! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooks Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 EWWWW! This is no bueno, Mama! I'm glad to hear you're out of the hospital though! Make sure not to swallow copious amounts of Vicodin... unless ya' really need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Lamont Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 glad to see that you are healing and feeling better Laura! Most of the time the people of ARC are watching their corals heal, but now we get to see you get better while reminding us of he serious side of this hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 I am glad you are better Mama. That sucks! So was it just bacteria in the water or was it one of the coral toxins? I am a bit confused. ::blonde:: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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