Ugh, just drank Zoa tank water!!

[meeandcharlie]

OMG I feel so dumb (and very forgetful in my old age). I had been popping some frags off plugs. I had a small cup of tank water at my desk where I was working on them. I needed to empty it and I just quickly dumped it in my drinking glass water thinking I'll just get a new glass of water shortly. I had placed the Zoa in the cup to keep it wet while working. Well I finished and sat down, forgetting about what I did- had a huge gulp of the water, swallowed it as I tasted the salt and remembered! Too late to spit it out! My question is, do Zoa's release toxins that I should be worried about if ingested?

 

[midnightmadman]

You have Zoanthids but didn't know they are toxic?

 

[mcgyvr]

From what I've heard zoas contain very little if any toxin..
Its palys that are the concern..

If you start to feel real sick get to the hospital.. But you will probably be just fine..

I'd just take a shot of vodka and go on with my day..

 

[meeandcharlie]

You have Zoanthids but didn't know they are toxic?

Yes, I know they can be. But to what extent I don't know. I recall reading they can sting you with a toxin but reaction is generally mild. Ingestion I don't know anything about.

 

[mcgyvr]

Ingestion I don't know anything about.

And very few if any really do...
Time will tell..

 

[meeandcharlie]

And very few if any really do...
Time will tell..

Yes, I guess it will. Won't ever make that mistake again. My chest feels tight and I feel a little 'winded', but I think it is from anxiety of unknown at this point. I have a nebulizer so I'll do a breathing treatment. But if I feel any worse guess I will head to ER. Wish I had some vodka or wine right now for my nerves!!

 

[mcgyvr]

Yes, I guess it will. Won't ever make that mistake again. My chest feels tight and I feel a little 'winded', but I think it is from anxiety of unknown at this point. I have a nebulizer so I'll do a breathing treatment. But if I feel any worse guess I will head to ER. Wish I had some vodka or wine right now for my nerves!!

Yep... relax.. breath... have fun..
Don't do it again..

FWIW.. I've sucked up plenty of water starting siphons,etc.. from aquariums with zoa corals in them.. Never had an issue..

 

[xREEFINaintEZx]

Don't freak out. If you were in there eradicating them I'd be more concerned.Are you sure it's a zoo and not a paly? What time? I'm all about "rub some dirt on it" but if your chest feels weird you might wanna be in the car and go have lunch in the vicinity of the er.

 

[Sk8r]

Seriously. There' s a sticky up top. You might go a clinic and get checked out. The word is palytoxin, which is a very serious thing. Also possible is an allergic reaction to the zoas. Palytoxin comes from a sea-mat, palythoas, not zoas, but they do turn up in the hobby. Allergic reactions can be serious unto themselves. In the presence of any symptoms, best get evaluated.

 

[meeandcharlie]

Thanks everyone. I'm pretty sure they are zoanthids but I'm not an expert. I intentionally avoided purchasing the palythoas for the reason I read they carry more toxins. Happened shortly after noon. Went to CDC site and others to do some reading. Very little info on ingestion. The toxin is a potent vasoconstrictor, which could (along with anxiety) explain chest tightening and pressure in my head. Guess I'll be off to the ER to be on the safe side. Babysitting my 3 year old grandson today so I'll call my daughter and be on my way. I'll update after my visit.

 

[Sk8r]

That's the smart approach. Good.

 

[ericarenee]

Its better to be safe and GET checked out then to Check out.... I would for sure go to ER to be safe..

Having work with chemicals and so on.. There is a safe procedure .. Use Clear plastic containers shaped not like drinking cups is a good safe practice.. I use plastic Screw containers for most of this kind of stuff I Go thru lots of them of various sizes all the time

 

[hkgar]

See you in a few days. Because of the nature of palytoxins poisoning I was kept in the hospital for a 3 day observation. I inhaled vapors and started getting your symptoms within about 1 hour. Six hours later I had EMTs in my home and was taking an ambulance ride. Yes, from Zoas

 

[CrayolaViolence]

From what I have read, ingestion is one of the least likely ways to do yourself serious harm, where as inhalation and injection (yes apparently someone tested this) are the only two associated with death or permanent injury. It seems that symptoms from ingestion are probably less if you have food in your stomach to buffer it.
From personal experience, I have swallowed (on accident) frag tank water (was doing a water change and siphoning the water) right after I fragged about 100 zoanthids, with no ill effects.

 

[tkeracer619]

If you taste metal in your mouth it's a sure fire bet you have toxins in your system.

Good luck!

 

[midnightmadman]

I heard of people touching them and rubbing their eyes will be a good way

 

[meeandcharlie]

Well. Here I am at hospital. Still kicking and restless. Fast process from front door of ER to room. Blood pressure issue 220/135, out of the ballpark abnormal for me. EKG shows some arrhythmias. Chest, throat and head still feel tight with pressure. Hospital is in contact with poison control for guidance. Bunch of blood work and chest xray done and IV fluids started. Findings will be reported back to poison control and they will advise what next step is. Hopefully I'll go home this evening!
Mouth tastes funny, not sure it's metal.
I too would think ingestion would be less harmful because gastric acid is present to hopefully battle the toxin.

 

[hkgar]

Heart rate and respiration? My BP, Pulse, respiration and temp were all in the "red Zone". All that can be treated are the effected functions. In my case it was acute respiratory distress.

 

[33mm33]

Well. Here I am at hospital. Still kicking and restless. Fast process from front door of ER to room. Blood pressure issue 220/135, out of the ballpark abnormal for me. EKG shows some arrhythmias. Chest, throat and head still feel tight with pressure. Hospital is in contact with poison control for guidance. Bunch of blood work and chest xray done and IV fluids started. Findings will be reported back to poison control and they will advise what next step is. Hopefully I'll go home this evening!
Mouth tastes funny, not sure it's metal.
I too would think ingestion would be less harmful because gastric acid is present to hopefully battle the toxin.

I have had the same experience, fragging zoanthids and pallys. Had odd taste in mouth within 30 minutes and shortly after that had very hard time breathing and had massive amounts of very think mucus coming from mouth and nose. Horrible experience. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Diana A]

I have had the same experience, fragging zoanthids and pallys. Had odd taste in mouth within 30 minutes and shortly after that had very hard time breathing and had massive amounts of very think mucus coming from mouth and nose. Horrible experience. I hope you feel better soon!

What treatment did the doctors prescribe?

Meandcharlie - I hope you are okay