Anemone sting on PREGNANT WIFE question

[72olds455]

Just got a call from the wife my Haddons Carpet got part of its oral disk in a power head. I had her unplug and disassemble the powerhead to remove the trapped tissue. In the process the anemone ozzed a little purple liquid. The anemone is out and has discoloration in the effected area along with some missing tenticles. Here are my questions.
The wifes hands and arms are burning whic can be delt with, but is there any possible danger to the baby?
Will the anemone survive, the effected area was small, about the size of a quarted on a 12 inch across anemone.
With the purple liquid being released into the tank is a wter change needed, or will my skimmer take care of it?
Thanks
David

 

[misfit]

Hopefully Thomas will post a reply to you also .Any time a carpet or other anenome gets caught in PH.Yo should turn it off and let them back out if possible.You usually cause more damage ripping them out.Survival is possible, I ha a condy do this and survive.Although purple liquid doesnt sound good. I would do a water change immediatly, cuase if your wife's arms are stinging, so is every thing in the tank , that came in contact with it.As for your wife, I myself have had three children, I have been stung while being pregnant with no problems.I dont think the small amount that cound have been absorbed by her pores could even cross the placenta, which is the only way to the baby,but to be on the safe side, I would have her call her GYN and tell him the scenario. Also wait and watch your water parameters,if you start to see them rise ,take the carpet out ,he's probably dying then >Good luck :joy:

 

[aw2]

Originally Posted by 72olds455
The wifes hands and arms are burning whic can be delt with, but is there any possible danger to the baby?
Will the anemone survive, the effected area was small, about the size of a quarted on a 12 inch across anemone.
With the purple liquid being released into the tank is a wter change needed, or will my skimmer take care of it?
Thanks
David

The stinging on her hands and arms is a fairly common occurance, just for putting your hands/arms in a saltwater tank. I know when I even clean my tank, the saltwater irritates my arms. It itches and I get a red rash, sometimes, on my arms...it's nothing to be concerned about, IMO.
The anemome may survive, but often times, the damage is too extensive and they perish. Just hope for the best and hopefully everything turns out ok.
With the release of the purple "liquid", water changes are a definate must. It could be anything from a defense mechanism to the insides of the anemome. Either way, it's not good.

 

[yimmy]

For the anemone it doesn't sound good, as for your wife I wouldn't risk it and call a doctor. My arms get red bumps and itch after they go into the tank.

 

[sharkbait9]

with any venomous sting and your not sure of your reaction to venom or past medical history with any type of venom always seek higher medical authority, aka primary care physician, or emergency room care. Venom can be transported thru the blood stream.
To the anemone right now, i would concern your self with your wife and unborn child. If the anemone perishes, that's the breaks. if it lives great, we all would like to hear a happy ending.

 

[thomas712]

First aid thread for just such things.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/120010/reef-first-aid-cnidaria-envemonations
Being no doctor I simply can not dispense advice on this, however I would as suggested give this information at least by phone to your Doctors office and go with what they advise. When the nematocysts fire it can be and incredible thing, they pierce the skin and then it's like pulling a sock inside out under your skin as they stretch along the nervous system.
I've watched specials on jellyfish doing this in Austrailia, there is a small jelly that can kill, and they are very very small, no larger than this (

) but have one of the most powerful stings in the world.
Call the doctor
Let us know what they say.
Thomas

 

[thomas712]

Read my above post first and read the first aid for this type of thing.
As for the anemone. I'm unfamiliar with a purple liquid being ejected out of them unless it is the color of the zooxanthellae from within, this zoo is what give it its pigment. Hard to tell what this trauma will do to it, but I'm thinking it will survive.
However there are a few things you can do.
1. Run a fresh batch of carbon and replace it after 24 hours.
2. Run a polyfilter if you have one.
3. Get a water change ready.

 

[72olds455]

The wife and anemone are doing fine, she said the itch and redness went away in 30 minutes.

Thanks for the replies
David

 

[thomas712]

Glad to hear that.

 

[thegrog]

Well, I am a doctor and here is my advice on the issue. Please note that with any medical problems, consult with your doctor as he/she will have more info on your medical history.
With the burning, she is getting stung by the nematocysts (SP?) that are left on her skin. Do NOT rinse with fresh water. That will cause an osmotic imbalance and inject even more venomn into the skin. What you should do is rinse with vinegar first. This will neutralize the toxins and dissolve the remaining nematocysts. This will almost immediately releive the pain as well. Then rinse with salt water. After that, was the affected area with soap and water (fresh fine now).
Now, if you are allergic to bee stings, then you probably will have the same type of reaction to the anemone sting. This can be a medical emergency. Treat the anemone sting as you would a bee sting as your doctor has instructed you to do (benadryl, epipen, 911, ect). If you know you are allergic to bee stings, then always use gloves when working in tanks that contain anemones.
As for being pregnant, the toxins they release stay locally and, unless it was a huge sting, would not enter the blood stream and thus would not enter the fetal circulation. I doubt there is any worry there.
Glad to hear that everything worked out fine though. Just thought I would share that medical info with everyone else. Just remember, if in doubt call your doctor!! We work for you after all!!!!!