allergy to reef tank

[azrednex]

Well, every time in the last week or so that I've had my arm in one of our tanks for any period of time I've developed 5-10 itchy hives, this is a recent event I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience I'm thinking that if I can't get around this that I may have to leave the hobby :( I'm thinking that as with any allergy that if I continue to expose myself, I may have a BAD reaction and have trouble breathing or swell up so that my hand looks like a catchers mitt or something like that.

[here4g2]

Buy some long gloves.

[Kentanner11]

yea alot of people I know has had that happen! It could be something in your tank, so stick your hand into a friend tank, that sounds odd but it could be you or your tank(s).

[azrednex]

I don't work well in gloves. It happens with both of our 90g's also.

[buffalobunch]

Did you add anything different or use different salt? Any new additives recently?

[Kentanner11]

is there a tank that this isnt happening with? It might have been a coral that produces something that doesnt agree with you.

[jenn_jeffery]

I can't use the big coralife type gloves--hands are way too small. I bought some OB livestock gloves, the type vets use for exams on horses and such....they come up to my shoulder, and if I'm going to be moving rock, I put a pair of nitrile gloves over those to help keep them from tearing--I'm slightly allergic to the salt (?), enough that I get red and itchy from messing around in any of the tanks too long. Had a worse reaction w/ Tropic Marin than I have with the Reef Crystals we use now for some reason....send me a PM w/ your email addy if you want a link of where to buy the gloves, I sent it to OceanLyons the other day so I already have it in my email...

Jenn

[Philwd]

Yeah I get it too. I found if I switch dry off towels frequently it doesn't happen as much. I got an ointment that works pretty well on it. Overnight that is. Never put arm in tank with it on.

Gloves work too but like others find I am sooo clumsy with them on. Didn't think about a salt allergy.

[aztbs]

I have a reaction like that occasionally but not every time. I have a couple of great grabbing tools that I have become pretty proficient with in order to keep my hands out of the water.

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10300322#post10300322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aztbs
I have a reaction like that occasionally but not every time. I have a couple of great grabbing tools that I have become pretty proficient with in order to keep my hands out of the water. same here

[OceanLyons]

I've had a reaction after contact with rocks and corals. Itchy hive-like blisters that lasted for weeks. I'm going to order the gloves Jennifer suggested.

[Kentanner11]

yea, I dont think that I have an allergy either, but am going to go to my local vet and order a box of arm legnth gloves.
PS OceanLyons -Nice caption under your name! lol!

[azrednex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10299610#post10299610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by buffalobunch
Did you add anything different or use different salt? Any new additives recently?

Only normal additions like zoos and shrooms and a brain or two in the Wifes tank.
It's nice to know I'm not alone in this, I'm not sure it is salt related we've been using coralife for about 8 month now. You would think that if I was going to react it would have been before now.

[buffalobunch]

Maybe try to take Benadryl if you know your going to be working in your tank. Benadryl will block the histamines that are making you have the allergic reactions.

[soni]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10305465#post10305465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by buffalobunch
Maybe try to take Benadryl if you know your going to be working in your tank. Benadryl will block the histamines that are making you have the allergic reactions.

you want her to fall asleep and drown?

[buffalobunch]

First off azrednex is a he and Benadryl doesn't have that effect on everyone. Benadryl and Nyquil have a reverse reaction on me and keep me awake.

[Alto]

occationally in the past I have "scraped" myself on salt creep or other things like this that have gotten irritated. I dont think I have ever actually gotten hives just from putting my arms in the tank though. Maybe try running some carbon to see if you can remove whatever you're reacting to?

[azrednex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10305533#post10305533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by soni
her

I'm curious as to why you would assume I was a female? I'm not trying to be an @$$ I'm really curious.

[jenn_jeffery]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10305635#post10305635 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Alto
Maybe try running some carbon to see if you can remove whatever you're reacting to?

For me, it's def. the salt. Even fresh mixed water, before it ever goes into a tank irritates my skin....

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10305709#post10305709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jenn_jeffery
For me, it's def. the salt. Even fresh mixed water, before it ever goes into a tank irritates my skin.... yep the salt, I agree

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10305637#post10305637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by azrednex
I'm curious as to why you would assume I was a female? I'm not trying to be an @$$ I'm really curious. probably because you are so feminine.....

[azrednex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10305709#post10305709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jenn_jeffery
For me, it's def. the salt. Even fresh mixed water, before it ever goes into a tank irritates my skin....

I'll have to run a test with fresh mixed pre-tank saltwater, thanks for the idea.

[jenn_jeffery]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10307192#post10307192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by azrednex
I'll have to run a test with fresh mixed pre-tank saltwater, thanks for the idea.

Hopefully that's all it is!! The Tropic Marin Pro we used to use was MUCH worse, I couldn't work in the tanks at ALL w/o my arms turning red/itchy within just a few minutes, with the Reef Crystals, I have 10-15 before it starts to really get to me, and I have to quit. The long gloves (thin, easy to work w/ them on) make life a lot easier!

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10306564#post10306564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
probably because you are so feminine..... (you do know I am kidding right??;) )

[azrednex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10307430#post10307430 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
(you do know I am kidding right??;) )
Yes, Evil I know you're kidding. I'm still curious as to the reasoning behind thinking I'm a female !

[EvilE]

probably because your occupation is an electrician, and they are mainly females.......