Bristleworm Sting and Chronic Joint Pain?

[NEM Aquatics]

Hey all. A month or two ago I was clearing some hair algae out of my tank. I was being lazy and not using gloves, and I guess at some point I rested a finger against a bristleworm. Got a good 20+ bristles right into the joint of my ring finger. Without thinking, I just sort of wiped them off, most likely breaking them and leaving them embedded in the joint. Had some bad fluid buildup and swelling/pain a week or two after, so went on a heavy dose of Cephalexin for two weeks to prevent any infection. Helped things for a few weeks, but cold weather has brought back almost arthritic-like symptoms in that joint. Anyone had something similar happen?

 

[landlubber]

interesting. i've heard bobbit worms can have these types of lasting affects but i can't say i've ever experienced anything notable from a bristleworm.

 

[Dan_P]

Hey all. A month or two ago I was clearing some hair algae out of my tank. I was being lazy and not using gloves, and I guess at some point I rested a finger against a bristleworm. Got a good 20+ bristles right into the joint of my ring finger. Without thinking, I just sort of wiped them off, most likely breaking them and leaving them embedded in the joint. Had some bad fluid buildup and swelling/pain a week or two after, so went on a heavy dose of Cephalexin for two weeks to prevent any infection. Helped things for a few weeks, but cold weather has brought back almost arthritic-like symptoms in that joint. Anyone had something similar happen?

That’s terrible! I have not run into this sort of thing. Makes you want to raise guppies, no?

 

[Ghost25]

https://www.michiganreefers.com/threads/bristle-worm-sting-now-joint-problems.35554/
This guy had a similar reaction.

 

[NEM Aquatics]

https://www.michiganreefers.com/threads/bristle-worm-sting-now-joint-problems.35554/
This guy had a similar reaction.

Interesting. I was on 500mg Cephalexin for 10 days, 4x daily. So hopefully that could rule out potential Mycobacterium. Maybe my immune system recognizes the bristles under the skin as a foreign body and is accidentally going after the joint? At any rate, will definitely make some sort of specialist appointment if things get worse. My primary care literally googled "bristle worm" in front of me when I brought it up, so not feeling great about their knowledge :winking-face-with-tongue:

 

[Rick's Reviews]

I once stood on a sea urchin and survived after picking splinters from my foot. I once stood on a cocktail stick that left a splinter in my foot and I nearly lost my leg again I survived, i once had a splinter in my finger that penetrated from under my fingernail to my knuckle to the point where I could not bend my finger due to wood inside.

Best thing to do is at least see the doctor

 

[mlholtsclaw]

I was cleaning some bubble algae off a rock almost 2 weeks ago. Didn't realize there was a bristle worm on it. Felt something hurt my finger and thought it was just a sharp spot on the rock. After a couple minutes it hurt bad. Moved the rock with my other hand and then see the devil creature. Then realized I had more bristles than I could count in my finger all from the top joint up. After lots of work i managed to get all the bristles out and used vinegar to wash it well in case Amy were left. Used cortisone cream. Now almost 2 weeks and my finger is still swollen. Can't bend at top joint and now it is to the 2nd joint in my finger. Continuing to go down my finger. Went to doctor and of course they had never heard of it. They didn't see anything in it. Gave me visteril for it. Doesn't seem to be helping. I have no clue what else to do.

ofey all. A month or two ago I was clearing some hair algae out of my tank. I was being lazy and not using gloves, and I guess at some point I rested a finger against a bristleworm. Got a good 20+ bristles right into the joint of my ring finger. Without thinking, I just sort of wiped them off, most likely breaking them and leaving them embedded in the joint. Had some bad fluid buildup and swelling/pain a week or two after, so went on a heavy dose of Cephalexin for two weeks to prevent any infection. Helped things for a few weeks, but cold weather has brought back almost arthritic-like symptoms in that joint. Anyone had something similar happen?

Hey all. A month or two ago I was clearing some hair algae out of my tank. I was being lazy and not using gloves, and I guess at some point I rested a finger against a bristleworm. Got a good 20+ bristles right into the joint of my ring finger. Without thinking, I just sort of wiped them off, most likely breaking them and leaving them embedded in the joint. Had some bad fluid buildup and swelling/pain a week or two after, so went on a heavy dose of Cephalexin for two weeks to prevent any infection. Helped things for a few weeks, but cold weather has brought back almost arthritic-like symptoms in that joint. Anyone had something similar happen?

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

i once had a splinter in my finger that penetrated from under my fingernail to my knuckle to the point where I could not bend my finger due to wood inside.

Was it your middle finger by any chance?