I just returned home from the hospital after 3 days and I wanted to warn everyone how dangerous our tanks can be. On Sunday I was handling some sharp live rock and bagging up corals I was holding for one of our members. First and foremost I am always very careful handling coral and usually use gloves (I had just run out) and wash my hands before and after and pour alcohol over my hands as well.
Apparently while handling the live rock Sunday I cut my index finger without realizing it. Then I picked up quite a few colonies of coral to bag up. The corals included Palythoa and Paly Grandis colonys and many many more colonys less toxic.
That evening my finger was killing me and started to swell. I immediately soaked it in rubbing alcohol for an hour and went to bed. The next morning my finger was extremely swollen and really painful. So I headed to the ER, once I arrived I explained what happened and what I had in my tank that may have caused the infection. They called in a Infectious Disease Specialist and an Infectious Disease Pharmacologist. No one at Emory had even dealt with any of the possibilities that the infection was caused by. So they took cultures and apparently it takes weeks or even months to culture some of the bacteria and even worse if its paly toxins as there really isnt a blood test that will indicate which one it is. Then comes treatment, they try one strong antibiotic and add another and another until you see some reduction in the swelling after a few days. If the infection spreads to the bone or tendon it moves rapidly through the finger, hands and arms. In my case I was incredibly lucky, so far and it did not reach the bone or tendon yet. However, I may still need surgery (I'll know tomorrow) and it may take along time to completely resolve the infection. But, you could easily need an amputation if it spreads to the bone or tendons.
Im sorry to post such detailed information. But, I felt it was really important to emphasize how dangerous out tanks can be and the medical community has not advanced in dealing with many of the possible bacterias and toxins we have in our tanks. Please always be careful and if you do end up with a cut that is sore after handling coral or live rock. Take the time to visit your Dr or the ER and explain what you came into contact with. Moral of the story - Always wear gloves and glasses.
Apparently while handling the live rock Sunday I cut my index finger without realizing it. Then I picked up quite a few colonies of coral to bag up. The corals included Palythoa and Paly Grandis colonys and many many more colonys less toxic.
That evening my finger was killing me and started to swell. I immediately soaked it in rubbing alcohol for an hour and went to bed. The next morning my finger was extremely swollen and really painful. So I headed to the ER, once I arrived I explained what happened and what I had in my tank that may have caused the infection. They called in a Infectious Disease Specialist and an Infectious Disease Pharmacologist. No one at Emory had even dealt with any of the possibilities that the infection was caused by. So they took cultures and apparently it takes weeks or even months to culture some of the bacteria and even worse if its paly toxins as there really isnt a blood test that will indicate which one it is. Then comes treatment, they try one strong antibiotic and add another and another until you see some reduction in the swelling after a few days. If the infection spreads to the bone or tendon it moves rapidly through the finger, hands and arms. In my case I was incredibly lucky, so far and it did not reach the bone or tendon yet. However, I may still need surgery (I'll know tomorrow) and it may take along time to completely resolve the infection. But, you could easily need an amputation if it spreads to the bone or tendons.
Im sorry to post such detailed information. But, I felt it was really important to emphasize how dangerous out tanks can be and the medical community has not advanced in dealing with many of the possible bacterias and toxins we have in our tanks. Please always be careful and if you do end up with a cut that is sore after handling coral or live rock. Take the time to visit your Dr or the ER and explain what you came into contact with. Moral of the story - Always wear gloves and glasses.
