New Live rock stung me!!! Please help

[deansreef]

There was something on the new live rock that stung me.
My hands felt like I had tiny little needles in them. Any Idea what that could have been? I couldn’t find anything obvious.

[lancer99]

Fire coral (Millepora sp.) maybe? They encrust and are generally brownish so can be pretty cryptic, and that's a pretty good description of what it feels like when you touch them.

-R

[mille239]

could've been a bristleworm.... similar reaction when I've touched them (multiple times) in the past. If it is this, try soaking your hands in vinegar, which will dislolve any remaining bristles.

[Lucky-rc]

lol.... (sorry) I know it's not funny

I work hard evey day out in the elements, so my hand are very tough (bullet proof) so I thought untill I started fooling with LR.
I got used to what you are feeling right now. But you can use gloves if need be. I just cant work well with them? feel kinda restricted? But you'll be ok.

On a second note, wait untill a pistal shrimp (thumb-splitter) gets a shot at you....lol

Lucky

[dendro982]

WebMD , forum , saltcorner under "Bristle worms" ointment,
Toonen .
If you have visible bristles - remove them, duct tape, adhesive tape, anything. If apply ointment after that - avoid unbreathable band-aid, only worse. If have allergic reaction - use medications, you know. Inflammation - anti-inflammatory. In serious cases - seek medical help.

The case with bristles is worst. But anyway, for me inflammation always ended after 4-5 days.
Beware of cumulative effect and developing sensitivity - I had no problems for an 1.5 years, now each time - worse and worse.

Good luck!

[Blown 346]

I agree, gloves should be worn when handling anything in the tank.

[wrott]

It's hydroids.
I've seen other treads w/ people having the same symptoms. Some one who knows much more than I do chimed in with the answer.

[GPCRalph]

Hey,

That happened to me once and I had a burning sensation for a little while on one of my fingers but it eventually went away. So it's likely that this will pass and just be a lesson of why to use glover with LR.

However, if you start feeling kind of weak, dizzy, shortness of breath, or skin reaction like rash (all may be signs of an allergic response). You should probably take a benadryl or two and get medical help. I don't mean to scare you but I think its better if you are just aware of worst case scenario.

Let us know how it resolves,

Rafael

[Lucky-rc]

Gee, you guys are convincing me to start wearing gloves...
I'd hate to have to explain to the Dr. that it was a "rock" that made my hand fall off.

Lucky

[LeslieH]

There are a lot of different things that could be responsible. All cnidarians - corals, anemones, hydroides, jellies have stinging cells for protection; sponges have both spicules (made either of calcium carbonate or glass) and chemical defenses which can do a number on hands; bristles worms; pedicellaria from echinoderms can bite or sting; encrusting bryozoans can be very sharp & have chemicals, etc. It's always a good idea to wear gloves. Even if you don't actually get stung there are bacteria & viruses which can enter cuts and cause serious infections.

[Rewd]

Sounds like a bristleworm to me.

[uscharalph]

I know it's going to happen to me one of these days. LOL!!!

[Frick-n-Frags]

a pistol shrimp cannot split your thumb.

a mantis shrimp can.

[Pmolan]

Did you try to pee on yourself?