OUCH! I'm stung...

[Marsey]

Okay, help please...
I was moving my feather duster last week and in the process my arm was against a rock with ricordia mushrooms, one small orange sponge and some of those fiber optic filter feeder creatures we were discussing last month. Later that day I developed a spotty rash that really stung on my arm. A week later it is still there, not getting better. It itches like mad every couple of hours and then stings. Sometimes it is a bunch of red dots but when it is itching it more like red skin with big white bumps. I know this sounds gross- it is, but does anyone have a suggestion or should I head to the doctor? Thanks- Marsey

[hcp28]

Sounds like you've had a allergic reaction to the ricardi mushrooms, i've heard they've got a pretty potent sting, and some people are more alergic than others to them. I'd say if it's been there a week you may want to have it checked out by a physician, and they would probably recommend some topical cream to keep the swelling down. I'd recomend some tiger balm, that stuff always seems to work for anything. HTH

Henry

[popcorn]

I can't say that I am well versed in Ricordea stings, but I'll venture that you scratched your arm in many places on the rocks, allowing just enough irritant in (whatever the Ricordea emits). It sounds much like your body's response to a bug bite. I would try benadryl (a common antihistimine) to diminish the reaction. A hydrocortizone cream might help, too. (At least with the itching.) White bumps (although I don't know how big they are) usually signify a definite immune response, but also might mean infection. If you get any reddish streaks up your arm, get some medical attention.

A thought from the plant world... many tropicals (bromeliads, especially) have a substance lacing their spines that leave long red welts on the skin after a brush. Cactus spines often remain in the skin, and can also cause long-term irritation. What are the chances that you still have something under the skin? If it doesn't diminish in a few days, consider visiting a dermatologist.
HTH

[dattack]

It you rash is spreading, or pain getting worse, and you have trouble breathing, I would seek medical help. It takes awhile for your immune system to break down the object/objects that pricked you. Like someone mentioned before, take antihistamines like benadryl and that could help.

[organicreefer]

if the itching bothers you ,benedryl gel is awesome.any kind of anthistamine you get over the counter will probly make you drowsy ,but the gel wont ,and it works awesome(especially on poison oak).i would say if its not getting worse,give it time.

[Marsey]

Thanks everyone. I've been using some anti-itch cream which seems to help. The Ricordea sting idea seems the most likely. The only rock I was touching is completely covered with them- great big ones. I didn't scratch against anything sharp at all. I guess I'll just continue with the topicals- I don't feel sick and it isnt' getting any worse. Thanks again. I had no idea that Ricordeas could sting! Once again I have been enlightened on this board- you guys are great!

[naser]

that weird i always touch, cut my ricordias and never once have i felt any sort of pain. maybe you are alergic to them?

[Reinhold]

The Ricordea tentacles are covered with anemone-like nematocysts, which are like poison darts with a reservoir of toxin at one end.

When you touch or brush up against the tentacles, the nematocyst dart penetrates your skin, and the reservoir contracts to inject venom into your skin. The venom causes pain, itching and variable allergic reactions.

Upon contact, there are two ways of dealing with these. First, you can spray or bathe the area with white vinegar, which deactivates the nematocysts. (We carry bottles of white vinegar in our dive bags for this purpose.) Secondly, you can gently cover the area with shaving cream and shave the nematocysts away with a razor. Brushing or rubbing are area will only compress the nematocysts, causing further venom injection.

The treatment of the reaction includes the previously mentioned antihistamines for redness, swelling and itching, and steroid creams. Watch for signs of secondary infection, such as red streaking, painful lymph nodes proximal to the sting area, or pus formation.

[Marsey]

Wow- thanks for the explanation Reinhold. I wish I'd known all that a week ago. I think it's getting better now- still red and occasionally itchy, but not as bad as it was even 3 days ago. I'm assuming that I must be somewhat allergic to their sting since my reaction was so much stronger than some other people's has been. Thanks again, Marsey

[Reinhold]

I forgot to mention that at the time of the sting, heat applied directly to the area affected will deactivate the venom, as the proteins which make up the venom are heat labile. Hot water or a hot pack, as hot as you can stand it, will render the venom non-toxic.

[popcorn]

I happened to think - if you exhibit sensitivity to the Ricordea, be careful to avoid them in the future. If you truly are allergic to them, a third exposire could be worse. Often the first exposure will "prime" the immune system to react. At that time, you don't really realize it. It is the second exposure that provokes a response. Similarly, the third may be even worse. (When someone has a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting, it is always the 2nd time they have been stung.)

This may not be the case, but if I were you, I'd rather not find out. I also don't mean to scare you about sticking your hands in the tank, but do be aware of the possibilities.

Reinhold - your advice brought back back some memories of getting stung by tiny jellyfish in Mexico. When we went to look for vinegar or meat tenderizer, the bartender (where else to go?) gave us limes and margarita salt. Much to our disbelief, the citric acid in the limes really worked! Not to mention gave us a great story...

[asmith]

Originally posted by popcorn

Reinhold - your advice brought back back some memories of getting stung by tiny jellyfish in Mexico. When we went to look for vinegar or meat tenderizer, the bartender (where else to go?) gave us limes and margarita salt. Much to our disbelief, the citric acid in the limes really worked! Not to mention gave us a great story...

Honey, the limes and salt might have done something for our stings, but I think that the tequila they gave us was the real cure for the pain.;)

I still have scars on my hands from those things. They can really pack a punch.

Andrew

[ConnieH]

I think you may have been stung by a Pacific Ricordea... called Ricordea Yuma. Its sting is much worse than Ricordea Florida. It can and WILL irritate sensitive skin for several weeks! Hey, it only took me once. After a month of infernal itching, I won't soon forget the experience. Use the anitibiotic cream and you'll be fine. (Although it's a good excuse when it comes time for the dishes. ;) )

Best of luck,
Connie

[Reinhold]

Don't forget, there are always rubber gloves to keep those hands dry during chores.

[ConnieH]

Thanks for the welcome Reinhold, but I've been around for a couple of years. I started out as carolina98, but lost password and figured it was time to change I.D.'s anyway. I'm here a lot reading, I just don't post very often.

And hey, about those gloves... shhhh, don't tell anyone! ;)

Regards,
Connie

[Marsey]

Thanks for the info and advice. I will make sure to be very careful in the future. I can just see it- cause of death, stung by corals in aquarium and died on living room floor. Just kidding, but really, it's been over three weeks and the red bumps have faded but are definitely still there. They only itch and swell up maybe once a day. I am sure I don't want to do this again

[firechild]

I was only made aware of the potency of a corallimorph sting recently. They can and will sting even Euphyllias. Being closely related to anemones I guess this is understandable but until recently I would have guessed they were harmless.

[Doug1]

Interesting thread, I have never had a reaction from either of the Ricordia species but have had a few nasties from some of the aggresive LPS. Peoples tolerence obviously varies. But the treatments listed will deal with stings in most cases. I think it's a good idea to have a 911 list taped near the tank, listing what you have in there, esp if you keep venomous animals, but even some of the not so obvious can cause problems. If you have an anaphylactic reaction, esp a serious one it may be difficult to communicate possible causes to EMS personell

[Marsey]

Good idea- I've been sharing all this info with my boyfriend (who I live with) so that he would know too. Funny thing though- I was feeding the tang the night before last and accidently brushed against the ricordeas again (I really was trying to be careful). Anyway, I felt the sting just below my wrist so I immediatly applied hot water and then poured white vinegar over the skin. The sting went right away and there are only very small red dots. Thank you Reinhold for the info that saved me from another long 4 weeks of pain.

[Reinhold]

Unfortunately, much of my knowledge about coral and invertebrate stings comes from first-hand experience while scuba diving.

I'm no longer stupid enough to touch anything on a reef, except to put two fingers into the sand to hold my position in a strong current, as is present in Cozumel. (Even then, you want to make sure you're not poking a sleeping sting ray.)

Unavoidable, however, are the stings from small, translucent jellyfish, or even from pieces of jellyfish floating in the water column which have been picked off and released by other fish.

On deep dives especially, it's very common to get stung on the face or hands and not feel it because of nitrogen narcosis. Then, when you ascend and do your decompression hang time, you start to feel this intense burning, like a curling iron being held to your face. It can be a very long 30 or 40 minutes, hanging 15-20 feet below the boat! That's when the vinegar and hot water become invaluable.