SeanT
Premium Member
I never posted about this as I do not know the EXACT cause within my tank and didn't want to start a panic.
However, I feel that the lesson to be learned thru my ordeal is worth sharing: Wear gloves!
On a Thursday July 1st. (After rearranging some things in my tank the night before) my thumb felt very tight and painful like I jammed it badly. Very tender.
The next morning it was red and swollen. That afternoon I had red streaks to my wrist...not that noticeable as I was sunburned.
That early evening the streaks were all the way to my armpit and streaking to my heart. It was that fast.
I wanted to tough it out and wait until Monday to go to the hospital, like an idiot.
Then my thumb exploded.
I spent almost 5 full days in the hospital on I.V. Antibiotics.
4 separate Infectious Disease doctors took cultures of my blood and tissue from my thumb...they found nothing.
After explaining to them my type of aquarium they agreed that it was the likely culprit.
They also bluntly said that if I had waited until Monday, certain parts of my body would likely no longer be attached. Frightening.
Once again, I reiterate to wear gloves and if you think something may have infected you, go to the E.R. immediately and explain to them in a very calm, not insane, voice where you believe it may have come from.
I tell you, a few of the doc's thought I was looney but one of them was from Miami and had some vague knowledge.
Here are some pics.
These are pics I took BEFORE I went to the hospital.
The immediate physical change to my thumb (in a matter of an hour or two) was scary as hell.
Remember, ABSOLUTELY NO PHYSICAL TRAUMA CUSED THIS WHATSOEVER!
It is hard to gauge as my other thumb is not in the picture (holding camera) but this thumb is over twice the diameter of the other.
The size of my thumb kept getting larger and larger until it literally started to split. It freaked me out severly/
The infection is no longer with me (this happened a month ago),
My thumb is still swollen and the nail is long gone. Good news is it should grow back.
However, I feel that the lesson to be learned thru my ordeal is worth sharing: Wear gloves!
On a Thursday July 1st. (After rearranging some things in my tank the night before) my thumb felt very tight and painful like I jammed it badly. Very tender.
The next morning it was red and swollen. That afternoon I had red streaks to my wrist...not that noticeable as I was sunburned.
That early evening the streaks were all the way to my armpit and streaking to my heart. It was that fast.
I wanted to tough it out and wait until Monday to go to the hospital, like an idiot.
Then my thumb exploded.
I spent almost 5 full days in the hospital on I.V. Antibiotics.
4 separate Infectious Disease doctors took cultures of my blood and tissue from my thumb...they found nothing.
After explaining to them my type of aquarium they agreed that it was the likely culprit.
They also bluntly said that if I had waited until Monday, certain parts of my body would likely no longer be attached. Frightening.
Once again, I reiterate to wear gloves and if you think something may have infected you, go to the E.R. immediately and explain to them in a very calm, not insane, voice where you believe it may have come from.
I tell you, a few of the doc's thought I was looney but one of them was from Miami and had some vague knowledge.
Here are some pics.
These are pics I took BEFORE I went to the hospital.
The immediate physical change to my thumb (in a matter of an hour or two) was scary as hell.
Remember, ABSOLUTELY NO PHYSICAL TRAUMA CUSED THIS WHATSOEVER!
It is hard to gauge as my other thumb is not in the picture (holding camera) but this thumb is over twice the diameter of the other.
The size of my thumb kept getting larger and larger until it literally started to split. It freaked me out severly/
The infection is no longer with me (this happened a month ago),
My thumb is still swollen and the nail is long gone. Good news is it should grow back.
