So I've had my aquarium for almost 3 months now. Today I did a cleaning, gravel vac, water change, snail thinning....and before I could finish my entire arm that I was sticking in the water was red, burning and covered in hives. I am definitely prone to allergies. This is the 4th time in the past month I've had allergic reactions, however, this is the first time it's happened during a tank cleaning. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing before? Any ideas what it could possibly be that is triggering the reaction? I didn't test the water prior to the cleaning, but my readings have been 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, less than 10 nitrate and ph 8.0 for the past 2 1/2 months.
Allergic to Fish Tank??!!
- Thread starter Swayde
- Start date
Did you feed the fish before the tank cleaning? A lot of people will react to certain fish foods such as bloodworms. Are you using any other chemicals in the tank such as a water conditioner or ferts for plants. Is it possible that you are reacting to some of these agents?
Marinemom
Marinemom
I do feed freeze dried bloodworms, but haven't in several days. I use Aquasafe for dechlorinating and I used some Plant Gro (liquid fert) about 3 weeks ago. I had fed them Tetramin Flakes this morning.
I am starting to suspect it could be a type of mold. I am definitely allergic to mold. I set an appointment with an allergist though to see if there is anything else and if there is anything they can do to keep me from breaking out.
On the plus side, my 11 1/2 yr old son has offered to help me with the tank cleanings so I don't get sick from it. Little boys are so darn sweet =) I do have to clean his hamster cage out for him in return though, which doesn't seem to affect me.
It's a bit freaky. I hate hives =( But I do *not* want to get rid of my aquarium. I totally love my little fishies, especially the baby platies =)
I am starting to suspect it could be a type of mold. I am definitely allergic to mold. I set an appointment with an allergist though to see if there is anything else and if there is anything they can do to keep me from breaking out.
On the plus side, my 11 1/2 yr old son has offered to help me with the tank cleanings so I don't get sick from it. Little boys are so darn sweet =) I do have to clean his hamster cage out for him in return though, which doesn't seem to affect me.
It's a bit freaky. I hate hives =( But I do *not* want to get rid of my aquarium. I totally love my little fishies, especially the baby platies =)
I will say almost certainly that you are allercig to snails. It's a fairly common allergy, and I can't think of anything else that would cause that sort of reaction. Welcome to the club! I'm allergic to mollusks.
Most LFS carry long gloves that cover the entire arm as Sammie said.
Most LFS carry long gloves that cover the entire arm as Sammie said.
Sx of allergies may not always show as we have antiboides in use that combat the Sx(symptoms) problems may occur if you are close to the threshold. lets say you have 400 antibodies and only 300 allergens(using simple numbers) since you are blow the threshold some Sx may not appear..
if you get close and go over..then you may have more Sx.
I am no expert but spent many hours with an allergy specialist here locally.
I have similar issues as long as I limit exposure or reduce exposure to other allergans..then I am less symptomatic..
just a thought.
as far as the tank goes..there are a multitude of things in there that could cause a reaction..bloodworms as mentioned are problematic for many people.
keep in mind that even tho you haven't fed the fish blood worms..the things that cause the problems may still be in the water..since the fish rarely digest 100 % of wht it eats. that allergen may be released back in along with residual from the prior feedings.
my suggestion (in nutshell) is get some of those aquarium gloves..
if you get close and go over..then you may have more Sx.
I am no expert but spent many hours with an allergy specialist here locally.
I have similar issues as long as I limit exposure or reduce exposure to other allergans..then I am less symptomatic..
just a thought.
as far as the tank goes..there are a multitude of things in there that could cause a reaction..bloodworms as mentioned are problematic for many people.
keep in mind that even tho you haven't fed the fish blood worms..the things that cause the problems may still be in the water..since the fish rarely digest 100 % of wht it eats. that allergen may be released back in along with residual from the prior feedings.
my suggestion (in nutshell) is get some of those aquarium gloves..
It could also be a plant allergy - I am allergic to some plants, though thankfully not aquaria plants - strange one though, hopefully your allergist will pin something down for you - meanwhile - gloves it is!
could also be a desiese, that humans get and so do fish(in a milder form)you should go to the docter and get it checked out!It is transeferred as a rash and thats as bad as the fish version gets but it should still be checked out!