Bristleworm/fireworm sting?
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=49381
Printed Date: April 25 2024 at 5:16am
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Topic: Bristleworm/fireworm sting?
Posted By: SmokeyBear
Subject: Bristleworm/fireworm sting?
Date Posted: June 04 2011 at 12:09pm
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So, I sold my RSM last week and in the process as usual the water got really cloudy and dirty by the time I got all the rock out. I was fishing around with my hand along the sand and I think I got stung by a worm.. So, I am looking for someone who has also had a bad sting. It didn't hurt right away very bad, but later it was the most intense itching and burning.. So I itched it to my hearts content.. eventually it got really really swollen. Like a small marble under my skin. So I put some hydrocortisone creame on it and that helped. The problem though, it's been 8 days and the joint still hurts to bend. It's my pinky finger and the 1st interphalengeal joint for those who know what I am talking about. I can still flex and extend the finger as a whole without any pain, but as soon as I try to bend that joint the pain is still pretty bad. Has anyone had this problem? It's still swollen, and the pain is there, but there isn't any burning. I realize the simple and easy answer is go to a Dr and get it checked out, but I don' t have insurance, so doing that involves going to the insta-care and paying through the nose to have some nurse tell me to come back in a few days if the pain is still there. So, if any of you have had this issue, I would like to know how long it lasted for you, was there anything you did to help it? Did you go to a Dr, and did they give you any useful info? Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: kellerexpress
Date Posted: June 04 2011 at 12:33pm
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Sounds like it is infected, some topical antibiotics may help but unfortunately I think you need some oral Antibiotics to clear up the Infection. Which would of course involve a doctor visit. ------------- IM 30L Kessil A160we x2 |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: June 04 2011 at 1:13pm
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This doesn't help now, but you should almost always soak ocean-critter stings in vinegar followed by as hot of water as you can safely tolerate. The vinegar will keep the remaining nematocysts from firing, dissolve any spicules or spines, and the hot water will break down many poisons. This is just typical first-aid for scuba injuries. Same goes for many home-aquarium incidents. If that doesn't take care of the problem, it's time to seek medical attention. It sounds like an infection...and it sounds like you've tried to take care of it on your own. It's been 8 days...sounds like your body is losing. When in doubt, get to a doctor!!! ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: PDoug
Date Posted: June 05 2011 at 11:47pm
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It sounds to me like you still have bristles ... A razor blade over the itchy part usually gets them out or duct tape Ibuprofen and benadryl are my remedies if it gets any worse or fails to get better see a doc I have been killed in an ER (Zapped when they did not need too ) so I avoid drs like noone else pm me if it does not get better and I will call my bro for you he is an RN / Coral farmer so he may be able to help ------------- (307)679-7898 Phillip Douglass 75 Gallon Reef Tank |
Posted By: Saltwater Trish
Date Posted: June 06 2011 at 10:26am
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Happen to me too! Mine stayed swollen for about a week and a half and finally went down. THEN... all the skin over the stung area peeled off. It was really annoying! I put anti-biotic ointment on it and wrapped it in a band-aid and it eventually got better. I remember worrying that it was still bad after about a week but it eventually got better. |
Posted By: Jeffatpm
Date Posted: June 09 2011 at 6:31pm
| Mine have never gotten that big, I got the big coralife glove to my shoulder, they also sell cheap ones at harbor freight. Sorry to hear I know those stings suck! |
Posted By: saltlaketank
Date Posted: June 18 2011 at 2:58pm
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Wow are bristle worms that bad? I have handled them and never felt a thing. I was under the impression that they are relatively harmless. ------------- JayDee 8016042780 90 Gallon 30 Gallon sump G3 Skimmer |
Posted By: PDoug
Date Posted: June 19 2011 at 3:07pm
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The stings are interesting more swelling than anything for me but I can't feel the arthritis in my hands or arms for at least 2 weeks post stinging Not a bad side affect lol ------------- (307)679-7898 Phillip Douglass 75 Gallon Reef Tank |
Posted By: kosai1111
Date Posted: October 23 2019 at 3:17pm
| Maybe there are some species of aquarium worms about which I don't know, but from what I know, they shouldn't be there because of the RTV. Most harmful worms get into the aquarium with the help of a carrier. Maybe you bought some live rocks or corals which were not processed properly. That's the case of the Bobbit worms, which come from the Indo-Pacific ocean. On http://https://arcreef.com/bristle-worms/bristle-worms-fireworms/" rel="nofollow - www.arcreef.com you can find more about them and how to remove (if they are the ones from your aquarium). |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: October 23 2019 at 4:28pm
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Wow 8 years later! Lol Rtv? I'd say the goal is to get as many species of worms as possible. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Hogie
Date Posted: October 23 2019 at 4:32pm
| I wish I could take all the bristle worms in my tank and watch them squirm in a vat of vinegar until they're dead. I hate those things! |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: October 23 2019 at 8:41pm
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Do you have an arrow crab? ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Hogie
Date Posted: October 29 2019 at 9:47am
No, but I have a coral banded shrimp and a wrasse that attacks them (his name is the Exterminator.) |
Adam Blundell wrote: