michelle
Reefing newb
So, I bought a new colony of zoas. I got it home and was putting it in my tank. As I did, I inadvertantly perssed my thumb against one of the polyps, breaking it. A spray of liquid came out of it, but I never really thought much of it. On my way to wash my hands after my lip tickled and I rubbed it.
Well to summarize a VERY long couple of days, my tongue is STILL green, Everything tastes like metal and I have FINALLY stopped vomiting.
Turns out, (as you all may know, but I did not) zoas have quite a toxic poison in them, I thought that they were on the mild side toxicity wise.
Doctors were stumped for a few hours as all my bloodwork came back fine. I am not even sure WHY I mentioned the new coral to them, I certainly didn't truly think that was the cause. After the docs did some quick research (I guess it isn't a condition they commonly treat) they told me that it is a toxin that can actually be fatal in humans-although it is rare-AND there is no antitoxin. I am currently on steroids to help keep my airways open, and they say it could be a couple weeks before the tightness in my chest goes, but, I am apparently lucky.
I looked online myself today and discovered a couple of stories of people trying to reduce a pesty colony by soaking an overpopulated rock in boiling water. Apparently this vapourizes the toxin and also is quite risky.
I tell you all of this incase there is anybody, who like me, doesn't realize the potential threat. Thanks for reading.
Well to summarize a VERY long couple of days, my tongue is STILL green, Everything tastes like metal and I have FINALLY stopped vomiting.
Turns out, (as you all may know, but I did not) zoas have quite a toxic poison in them, I thought that they were on the mild side toxicity wise.
Doctors were stumped for a few hours as all my bloodwork came back fine. I am not even sure WHY I mentioned the new coral to them, I certainly didn't truly think that was the cause. After the docs did some quick research (I guess it isn't a condition they commonly treat) they told me that it is a toxin that can actually be fatal in humans-although it is rare-AND there is no antitoxin. I am currently on steroids to help keep my airways open, and they say it could be a couple weeks before the tightness in my chest goes, but, I am apparently lucky.
I looked online myself today and discovered a couple of stories of people trying to reduce a pesty colony by soaking an overpopulated rock in boiling water. Apparently this vapourizes the toxin and also is quite risky.
I tell you all of this incase there is anybody, who like me, doesn't realize the potential threat. Thanks for reading.