Cuts and tank water

[kettlecorn]

this is actually a similar question to the thread below called "hand in tank" or something

how many people have accidently put their hands in the tank and realized they have a small cut?

I'm new the aquariums but that thread about the member (hollback) who was fragging and ended up in the hospital has freaked me out. I never knew there were bacterial or toxin precautions in this hobby. Today my mom decided to come and help me with my newly set up tank and it had filthy water and what not and she was working with nasty water and sand and later I realized she had a small cut on her index finger.
Something I should be worried about?

[sedor]

I wouldn't worry to much about it. The chances of being affected by some sort of bacteria are slim, but still its something we should be cautious about. I would be more concerned about fragging with a cut, especially with high toxin species like zoas.

[Threelittlefish]

I had a friend that got his hand punctured by the spine of a fish while cleaning the tank. He was in the hospital for 5 days. They had to make expansion cuts on his hand so it could swell without cutrting off blood flow. They had him on intense IV drip and heavilly sedated. The infection started moving up his arm. They told the familly to say their goodbyes. The next day his 106 fever broke and the antibiotics took over the infection. True story!

[Fibinotchi]

Was it a poisonous fish?

[billdogg]

Between yardwork, auto repair, and woodworking, I pretty much have cuts on my hands all the time. The only problem I have ever had was finding out about a new wound when cleaning the tank. Salt water stings!!!

I'm not saying that problems can't/won't occur - some people are way more sensitive than others - use good old common sense, however, and you will minimize the issue.

[Chris27]

I too always have a cut or two on my hand - never had any trouble. If worried, a wash with an antibacterial cleanser or Hydrogen Peroxide following tank work can be done.

[thebkramer]

BUY GLOVES!!!!! There are gloves out there that go all the way up your arm! Then you have nothing to worry about (well almost nothing)

A couple months ago I was working in tank and did not notice the big Aiptasia was actually touching my arm. He must have gotten very upset, cause next thing I knew, my arm was BURNING!! I pulled my arm out and found tiny white tentacles all over. It flaired up and I was in serious pain! I rushed to rinse it off, but it wouldn't come off. I then rushed to RC and someone told me to pour vinegar on it. I did. It still hurt and was swelling to no degree. I rushed myself to hospital and found I was very allergic to it. Very bad, very painful. I'm lucky things didn't get worse. I now have gloves and a few epi-pens on hand.
If you take a look at Capns' Log thread, he was punctured by a urchin while cleaning and was hurting. Better to be safe than sorry Invest in some gloves....

[mr.maroonsalty]

Don't put your oily contaminated bare hands in your tank, for tank's sake, and you'll be much safer yourself; you can buy exam gloves for very cheap, I get a large box for less than $5 (look online). I use a wide rubber band at the wrist. Truth is you can get very bad bacterial infections as well as toxic poisoning from your tank, but again I wear gloves mostly to protect my tank from myself. They make long tank gloves, but I find them clumsy, and I believe my arms aren't anywhere as contaminating as my hands are. Just because a lot of people do things a certain way, maybe even successfully, does not mean its right.

[travis32]

I agree, with maroon salty. I have simply worked with my bare hands for quick things many times. However, I would preempt caution over assumptions. I was moving a small LR out of the way to make room for my bubble coral. All of sudden my thumb was hurting like it was pricked. Thankfully blood wasn't running into the tank, but, there was something really pointy and sharp on the LR. I couldn't even see it. I don't know if it was living or just a sharp needlepoint of rock on the rock, but, you never know what's all in the tanks. So, gloves at a minimum would be a good precaution.

[babarney]

Originally Posted by mr.maroonsalty

Don't put your oily contaminated bare hands in your tank, for tank's sake, and you'll be much safer yourself; you can buy exam gloves for very cheap, I get a large box for less than $5 (look online). I use a wide rubber band at the wrist. Truth is you can get very bad bacterial infections as well as toxic poisoning from your tank, but again I wear gloves mostly to protect my tank from myself. They make long tank gloves, but I find them clumsy, and I believe my arms aren't anywhere as contaminating as my hands are. Just because a lot of people do things a certain way, maybe even successfully, does not mean its right.

I have some of those cheap latex gloves like they have at the Dr. office. Are those the type of gloves you are talking about? I thought about using those but they smell funny and seem like they have some sort of powder on them. Are those ok to use in a fish tank. I feel like everytime I stick my hand in the tank to do something I am contaminating it.

[KafudaFish]

Does anyone remember the guy that stuck his hand into his tank and was on the verge of death several times?

This was a thread here maybe 2 years ago. I have no idea how to even find it.

Long story short he made it all up.

That being said if you have an open cut on your hands and feel the need then yes wear gloves.
I work in water that sometimes has human contact warnings due to high levels of bacteria and I have always made sure to wash my hands after water contact with hot soap and water. When finished in the water and out in the field I have always used rubing alcohol as a wash first. Bleach also works.

Along with cuts make sure not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth until after your hands are clean.

[Beaun]

Originally Posted by KafudaFish

Along with cuts make sure not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth until after your hands are clean.

Agreed, this is the most reasonable method of protection. Not everyone is going to wear gloves all the time. Maybe if you are dealing with something really bad (anemones or zoas), but for the most part washing your hands afterwards should be fine.

[KafudaFish]

Oh or go to the bathroom.

That is for the loungers btw who sometimes like to go outside and play nice with the others.

[mr.maroonsalty]

I use powdered exam gloves; its cornstarch, and is used in the manufacturing process. Powder free gloves are more the industry standard now because of fear about airborne latex allergies; imagine if you were putting on hundreds a day that might be a real concern. There are other materials, vinyl and nitrile.