Itchy Eyes = Blood Worm?

[ffarrell]

Is it just me or does this happen to anyone else. I've noticed my eyes getting itchy recently. I'm not usually allergic to stuff, but thought it might be a new shampoo or something. But I think I've found the source - it seems to happen every time I feed my fish freeze dried blood worm, which is a treat once a week (honestly, I wash more than once a week). It's an irritating hot itch, but not an eye tearing type of itch - if that makes any sense. Does anyone else get this or am I insane?

 

[fish48]

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your not the only one i have a frend that is allergic to blood worm and the same thing happens to him it even effects him with frozen blood worm

 

[Athena]

Is it just me or does this happen to anyone else. I've noticed my eyes getting itchy recently. I'm not usually allergic to stuff, but thought it might be a new shampoo or something. But I think I've found the source - it seems to happen every time I feed my fish freeze dried blood worm, which is a treat once a week (honestly, I wash more than once a week). It's an irritating hot itch, but not an eye tearing type of itch - if that makes any sense. Does anyone else get this or am I insane?

Well, I've never come across anyone else with an allergy to freeze dried blood worms - but there's always a first for everything

Are you sure it's not hayfever? The pollen count has been quite high recently - my eyes are terribly itchy, especially in the evenings. You can become a sufferer at any time of life - I had a great aunt who began suffering with it in her 70s!

Either way, you could always take some antihistamine tablets for it if it's really annoying you - or eye drops. I usually find soaking cotton wool pads in cold water and resting them on my eyelids helps a lot.

If you really do think it's the blood worms, try not to breathe in any vapour from the tub and wash your hands straight after handling any.

Hope that helps - Athena

 

[madmom]

I agree with Athena about hay fever. I've never had it until this year when I got it so bad I actually lost my eyesight temporarily for about 6 weeks when the maple and pine trees started blooming. All I could see was white fog. Scared the devil out of me. Doctor said it was a severe allergic reaction. It's gotten better now thankfully.If you're sure it's the bloodworms you can try plastic gloves, those paper face masks and swimmers goggles. Also make sure to wash thoroughly when done or get someone else to do the bloodworms. I know it sounds extreme as well as silly but better safe than sorry.

 

[fergalthefish]

this has been posted before and got similar replies that people came up in rashes after touching bloodworm! prob best to wear gloves or something.

 

[ffarrell]

You're right Fergalthefish. I really should have done a search first, my bad. It seems it's not uncommon and some brands actually include a warning that bloodworm may cause an allergic reaction. News to me. Gloves from now on so.

 

[shelaghfishface]

yeah could be but it is hayfever season too,try piriton or similar for either

 

[Corleone]

I don't have any effect from bloodworm, but just the tank water does it to me sometimes. My arms itch for a few hours if I've had them in the tank, and if I get any water around my eyes or forget and touch my eyes without washing my hands, I get symptoms a lot like pinkeye for a few days.

 

[jourdy288]

I've heard of the same thing happening with freeze dried tubifex.

 

[Gazoo]

After getting freeze dried bloodworm dust in my eyes, my eyelids swelled shut within a short amount of time and I had to go to the hospital. While my lids were shutting I looked in a mirror and I could see that my pupil and iris had swelled a bit as well. Very scary! I quickly learned how allergies are serious business for some people.

I now handle bloodworms and brine shrimp with kid gloves and keep Benadryl (antihistamine) on hand.

 

[Colin_T]

Freeze dried foods soak up/ absorb moisture very quickly. This will irritate your eyes if it gets on them. You should always wash your hands with soapy water after feeding the fish or doing any work in the tank. If you have cuts or scratches on your hands/ arms then avoid going in the tank or wear rubber gloves to prevent the tank water getting into the cuts.
Frozen bloodworms can cause problems too. this is from the bacteria in the bloodworms and also a protein in them. Many people are allergic to them so care should be taken when handling them.

 

[Moravianroad]

After feeding my fish freeze dried blood worms from a nearly empty container with dust at the bottom, I happened to rub my eyes which resulted in severe burning followed by swelling.
 
I suggest splashing water on your eyes and flush with contact/saline solution.
 
Take some ibuprofen and an antihistamine. 
 
The burning will stop, but your eyes may remained swollen for a few hours. 
 
Lesson: Wash hands after touching any freeze dried fish food! The dust naturally absorbs moisture and is a severe irritant.