Bristleworms and the skin

[ckmullin]

Dunk that area in vinegar for a period. I've read that their spikes can be dissolved in doing so. I believe there should be an itching sensation. If it's swollen and looks red suggest to see a dr and it might be infected.

[lastlight]

i always notice right away it stings pretty good especially if you hit a big one. i've found the vinegar sorta works but some rubbing away at the area was needed to get them all out.

[Coralgurl]

I didn't see any bristles in my fingers at the time, but they are starting to swell, have bumps and are itchy, got really noticable on Wednesday.

Ugh, doctors....

[ckmullin]

Originally Posted by Coralgurl

I didn't see any bristles in my fingers at the time, but they are starting to swell, have bumps and are itchy, got really noticable on Wednesday.

Ugh, doctors....

I'd say go in and see one. Might be wise to print out a sheet about the worm and have that as you go in. Even something like the wiki page might help if the dr isn't a salthead.

[Coralgurl]

Can't get in until next week to see doc. Will hit a clinic if it continues to get worse. My one finger is swollen right to my palm and the other is just bumpy.

[ckmullin]

Sorry to hear. Dunno if you want your private digits to be a guinea pig however might be of value to post a shot or two so others can see effects of a possible bristleworm jabbing.

[Coralgurl]

Originally Posted by ckmullin

Sorry to hear. Dunno if you want your private digits to be a guinea pig however might be of value to post a shot or two so others can see effects of a possible bristleworm jabbing.

Don't think anything would show up in a pic, unless my hand swells more. The bumps are under the skin, on one finger they are white, the other red. The white ones are itchy, red ones swollen. My assistant says they almost looks like burn blisters, but deeper in the skin, not on the surface... I know I didn't burn myself.

For those of you who have had to remove the bristles, were there any side affects? I don't know if what is going on is due to working in my tank or something else as I did not have any bristles in my fingers at the time. That's why I asked if getting stuck by a bristleworm could go unnoticed.

[windcoast reefs]

Originally Posted by Coralgurl

Can't get in until next week to see doc. Will hit a clinic if it continues to get worse. My one finger is swollen right to my palm and the other is just bumpy.

I've been stuck a few times but never had anything swell up, you may be slightly allergic to them. I would go see a doctor before it gets infected, or has a chance to damage something from the swelling.

[subman]

Ive been stuck a couple times but noting really and it felt like tiny slivers. I actually just ignored them and after awhile they wore off, no issues after the fact at all.

Are you sure it was bristle worms? Could it be anything else?

[Haloreef]

To remove the bristles I spread white Lepages wood glue over the area with the bristles and wait until the glue sets a bit and then peel it off slowly.
Works for me