Just admitted to the hospital....cut my hand on Palythoas rock

mkart

mkart

Active member
Well Friday evening I was cleaning the tank and pressed my hand into a colony of palythoas on accident. The rock beneath cut me and the Palythoas slimmed me. I washed my hands and moved on. Saturday I went about my day with some pain at the cut. By 5pm I had streaks about 5 inches up my arm. By 10pm streaks past my elbow. Looked like a bacterial infection to me so we went to the ER. Apparently that is what it most likely is, pushing IV's now and hoping I get released Sunday evening. I can't believe I am here!
 
This is Bill from St. Clair that got some zoa frags and the rbta. All are doing good. Thats crazy. That happen in the main tank? How big of a cut?
 
Wow, that sucks...
Sometimes after reading certain posts I think about getting some gloves that go up to my elbows, before I go putting my hands back in the tank.

And I wonder just how much you have to do to certain corals for them to release something.
So all you did was brush up against them, or you like forcefully had your hand smashing them down?
 
I was pulling hair algae off the backside of the rocks. I certainly put a little pressure on it. Some of my rocks have little stalagmite like formations that are like little needles sticking out of the rock. I assume that's what got me. I've cut myself on a rock before but never this type of reaction.
 
I seems to be bacterial rather than the toxin. I believe bacterial is more common for aquarium infections. I have not felt the symptoms of the toxin, thank God for that. Good info to keep handy though since most healthcare professionals don't come across the toxin exposure very often. Hopefully I can get outta here, seeing that I never installed the dosing pump you sold me. Looks like Micki is gonna have to learn a few things today. Like water changing the QT and dosing.
 
Wow Matt, scary stuff! Beth and I are sorry to hear this. We hope you make a speedy recovery.

Were there any other symptoms? This may be and odd question to ask, I hope you don't mind but do you have any pics of your arm?
 
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I think about things like this every time I put my hand in any tank. You just never know. Hope you get over this soon. Hang in there Matt.:hmm2:
 
I really hope you get better soon. That is some scary stuff, I hope that there are no long term symptoms.
 
You Shirley cant be sleeping in the hospital! :D hope all is well with the arm, I think you're referring to the little feather duster worm tubes. I've cut myself on those many times and always painful.
 
Reeferhead said:
Wow Matt, scary stuff! Beth and I are sorry to hear this. We hope you make a speedy recovery.

Were there any other symptoms? This may be and odd question to ask, I hope you don't mind but do you have any pics of your arm?
Click to expand...

I did not take any pics, maybe next time. Saturday morning the site around the cut hurt and started to swell a little bit. By late afternoon it was red and swollen for about 2 inches around the cut. Shortly after that my fingers became num or tingly. At 5pm I noticed light pink streaks leading up my arm about 5". I drew a mark on my arm so I would know if it continued to move up. By 10pm the streaks had moved to my elbow, we sent our dinner guests home and headed to the ER. My arm hurt everywhere you could see the streaks, a very light pain though. I was hoping for an oral antibiotic and a late drive home. They admitted me immediately and said that it was too aggressive and had spread too far, by then the streaks were into my bicep. Started IV antibiotics as soon as I was in a room. Still hurts today but it does appear to be getting better.
 
A few years ago there was a local guy that got himself cut pretty good on the knuckles and had the same experience only worse. They were talking about amputation for a minute! Glad you are feeling better.
 
Thanks for all the well wishes. Seeing a specialist tomorrow and hopefully I can get out of here in a few days.
 
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