Could This Be From Handling Corals?

[promisetbg]

The last several weeks,the tips of my three fingers on my right hand have been severely drying out.I have'nt come in contact with any strange chemicals.I am right handed..so I am wondering if it could be from handling so many corals?I have to touch them at work alot.And lately at home,I have a few ornery pieces,that won't stay in place.Last night two of them split open,so now they are really sore.I am treating with pain relief neosporin,and severe dry skin hand lotion

 

[nm reef]

Sure....constant contact with saltwater can contribute to dry skin....I have problems with my hands all the time...but more from weather exposure than salt water. See if you can locate a tube of lotion called "Corona"...great stuff.

 

[promisetbg]

Hmm..I know about how they can dry out in cold weather,but it is'nt my whole hand..it's just the pad tips on these three fingers.That's why I believe it's actually something I'm touching.I am sensitive to the zoanthids..and I wonder if they are stinging me..and it's breaking down the skin there.This really hurts..I can barely type.

 

[promisetbg]

Well..I e-mailed my boss at the shop.He replied that the other employee there is experiencing the same problem right now.He said it sounds like we both have a good case of "Fish Handler's Disease"..it is the toxins and bacteria that come from the slime coat of fish/corals and frozen fish foods.he said he has experienced it a time or two..and should clear in a few weeks..

He is going to get us some long gloves for the shop.Guess I need to break out my BF's diving gloves to use here at the house as well.

 

[ophiura]

You want to watch this carefully...what I know as "fish handlers disease" is also known as 'fish TB" and is relatively serious - at least needs a course (sometimes a many month long course) of antibiotics.
http://edcp.org/pdf_factsheets/mycobacterium.pdf
When I worked at an aquarium, my manager had a nasty case. Didn't realize it for awhile, but had these wart like nodules. So watch out for those.
Hopefully it is not this, but all employees at LFS and public aquaria should, IMO, know what to watch for as they would be at greatest risk.

 

[the josey wales]

your employer should offer you "reef gloves" as an occupational saftey supply. I suggest getting some.

 

[spicey]

the only cure for this is amputation........he he

 

[promisetbg]

After reading more about fish handler's,seal finger,swimmer's rash,and various maladies..I am not sure what I have:notsure:
No nodules...just dry and splitting..and only on the tips of three fingers I use the most.I have been applying cortisone cream..which is helping a little.

 

[ophiura]

Well, there are definitely irritants on LR and coral skeletons - bristleworms, foraminiferans - not necessarily toxic but with sharp bits that can cause irritation. Of course sponges, cnidarians and things that might also causes issues and just lead to dry irritated skin.