I was moving some rocks in my aquarium last night, and moved some zoos and my Green BTA around. When I was done with everything, I noticed that my left index finger was numb. I did not feel any sting, and theres no swelling or redness, just numbness. I thought that my finger went to sleep, so I put my index finger under some warm water. That did not help. This morning, it is still numb. Its my only finger that is numb, everything looks fine on it. Will this go away or do I need to get checked out.
Urgent: Coral Sting
- Thread starter AcuraCl1
- Start date
Angela Short
New member
You don't even know a bristle worm stings you most of the time. I doubt it was a coral sting. I am highly sensitive to bristle worms. The stung finger swells up huge and just throbbs with pain and redness. Naturally depends on how bad I get tagged but Man, I hate them! I have not been able to bend my finger before and it has even woke me up at night hurting before. Yes, you would think I would eventually wear gloves 
but I guess I like living life on the edge. Seriously, if I am moving rock around and planning on much tinkering I do grab a pair now.
I have learned a big dose of benadrill and a few ibuprophin for swelling as soon as I notice I have been stung helps tremendously with the affect it has on me.
but I guess I like living life on the edge. Seriously, if I am moving rock around and planning on much tinkering I do grab a pair now. I have learned a big dose of benadrill and a few ibuprophin for swelling as soon as I notice I have been stung helps tremendously with the affect it has on me.
NicoleC
New member
It's too late, but the best quick home remedy for a sting is to run hot water - as hot as you can stand - over the affected part for about 10 minutes. Let the water run down so it flows *away* from the sting. You don't want to have the water force a spine farther into you flesh if there happens to be one.
Hot water helps neutralize most protein based stings. If you have a bristle worm spine or two, the water may help wash it out but there's no actual "sting" to be neutralized. But it won't hurt provided you don't run the water onto the area and force the bristles farther in.
For BW, once the flesh has swollen and closed over the spine you are pretty much going to have to wait it out. Until then, vinegar can help dissolve the spine if it can get in direct contact with it.
I never move rock without gloves anymore.
Hot water helps neutralize most protein based stings. If you have a bristle worm spine or two, the water may help wash it out but there's no actual "sting" to be neutralized. But it won't hurt provided you don't run the water onto the area and force the bristles farther in.
For BW, once the flesh has swollen and closed over the spine you are pretty much going to have to wait it out. Until then, vinegar can help dissolve the spine if it can get in direct contact with it.
I never move rock without gloves anymore.
