Broke down tank, but can't stop coughing

[Tom Toro]

Broke down the 240 and removed the corals without gloves until I got nailed by a huge bristleworm. My hand didn't swell up so I figure I'm not allergic.

After about a half hour, my son and I both couldn't stop coughing. Is it possible we are having a reaction to something in the tank? Anybody ever heard of this kind of reaction after touching corals?

Here's what we were touching:

Thousands of Palys
Hundreds of zoas
About 15 RBTA's
Toadstools and other softies

[thefishgirl]

I'd be nervous about handling that quantity of palys and zoas without gloves. I move a few here and there without gloves, but not THAT many at one time. I'm assuming they were taken out of the water.... is there a chance that they released something in the air? I've seen them expel something when removed... so maybe you inhaled something?

I would monitor, and if it takes any turn for the worse or continues much longer, I would head to the ER. I'd rather see someone show up at the ER and be OK, rather than not, and have huge regrets for not acting sooner. Plenty of time to feel silly later if it was nothing at all.

[jimsflies]

Try taking some Benadryl asap.

[dputt88]

did you move equipment and what not outside or down in a basment. because my suggestion would be it may just be from going from a really humid area (you prolly had your head right above the tank a few times) to an area with very low humidity (basements garages and outside). like in the winter when you walk in and out of the house a lot you start coughing.

[binford4000]

Benadryl is a good idea. Large colony of palley and zoa can release enough toxins that small traces we're able to become air born. Doubtful but could happen. My bet is more from the fecral matter that has been collecting in that tanks sandbed for all those years caused some breathing issues. I hope you both feel better and if it doesn't clear up quickly I would get to the ER Tom. Better safe then sorry!

[CUNAReefer]

Hi Tom,

You may have been poisoned. Please read this article:

Steamed Palythoas send well-informed aquarist to the emergency room, nearly to the grave

With the amount of Zoos and Palys you were handling, there is a chance that you and your son could have inhaled paly toxin.

If you or your son get any worse, it may be time to go to the hospital.

James

Broke down the 240 and removed the corals without gloves until I got nailed by a huge bristleworm. My hand didn't swell up so I figure I'm not allergic.

After about a half hour, my son and I both couldn't stop coughing. Is it possible we are having a reaction to something in the tank? Anybody ever heard of this kind of reaction after touching corals?

Here's what we were touching:

Thousands of Palys
Hundreds of zoas
About 15 RBTA's
Toadstools and other softies

[dknuckles]

***MOST IMPORTANT take son to Dr for blood work and evaluation!!!!****

From personal experience x2 paly toxin exposure:
when a contact paly toxin contamination occurs a strong metallic taste in the mouth, them progressing into other physical symptoms (temp., anxiety, visual disturbance, swelling and yes resporatory distress (which is difficulty breathing "elephant on chest")

Since, no irration on skin, son not stung, and did not cook the palys causing a steam/gas fumes transporting the toxin. primary complaint is coughing your exposure will be a respiratory contaminant (exper: 43 year chronic asthma treatment, 5 yrs poster child Amer. Lung Assoc. and 2yrs nursing education) since you r breaking down the tank chances are more likely that u and ur son was exposed my an airborne combo of mold, mildew, and salmonella (most of the stuff that looks like dust is not dust!)
I would thoroughly bleach the house and change/clean any air filters u may have.and most important son to Dr. (I am assumIng ur son is younger)

Hopefully scottcrrt will chime in as well, he is a Resp. Therapist. (the profession that is constantly responsible for keeping me alive... !!!)

[Sir Patrick]

Sounds like you guys already got alot of good advice. I too agree it sounds like you got contaminated with something airborne. Sounds like something bacterial that was realeased while moving/breaking down your tank. Hopefully it was from a softie, live rock or sand....and not your palys.

Keep us posted and stay well, both of you!

[thefishgirl]

Hey Tom Toro... how about a health check / update?? You guys doing OK?

[Tom Toro]

Thanks for all the excellent replies. I took benadryl immediately and started reflecting back on what we were doing. I remember stabbing my finger with a calcium worm and it bled. I pulled out the shell and continued on with the removal. My son's gloves kept popping cause of the worms too, but I don't think he bled. Today we are both much better. My son is back home and he said the longer he was away from my house the better he felt. I felt like I had the flu today, but went to a party anyway and the same thing. The longer I was away from the house, the better I felt. Feels like a mild cold now, but I'm using a large attic fan and open windows to flush out that room. I don't want to go in there for awhile without my chemical mask. Can't believe the bird and rabbit lived through it. My wife looked it up on the net and described our symptoms for a mild reaction to airborne palytoxin exactly. I had the cough and nausea and my son said he just didn't feel good and was coughing too. A very bad reaction requires an ER visit and I also read there's really nothing they can do but monitor you in case your heart stops. I learned the hard way not to take this lightly. I'll have my mask and thick gloves when I put 'em all back in the new tank.

I really appreciate the concern and great information! Good group of folks.