*Warning about BloodWorms*

[Corrie]

I didn't realize this. I don't know if you guys know this or not.

I know a lot of you guys are feeding bloodworms, you should be aware that some people can be extremely allergic to them.

You would think that the more you expose yourself to something that you are allergic to, the more resistance you can build.

The more you expose yourself to bloodworms the more sensitive you can get.
One time it might be only a itch or sneeze, and the next time hospital.


Tetra Brand, freeze-dried bloodworms treat in size 0.28 oz.. Here's what the label warning says in very fine print in common-color font:

FOR ADULT USE ONLY *** KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN - WARNING: ALLERGY ALERT! THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS INSECT LARVAE WHICH MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTION IN SOME INDIVIDUALS. IF SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIC REACTION OCCUR (SUCH AS HIVES, ASTHMA, WHEEZING, RED OR IRRITATED EYES OR SKIN, RUNNY NOSE OR SNEEZING), DISCONTINUE USE IMMEDIATELY AND CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN. AVOID ALL USE IF SYMPTOMS REOCCUR. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT IF YOU SUFFER FROM ASTHMA, HIGH FEVER OR ARE KNOWN TO BE ALLERGIC TO INSECT LARVAE. HOBBYISTS AND HEAVY USERS SHOULD USE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS NOT TO TOUCH OR BREATH DUST OF PRODUCT. CALL 1-800-526-0650 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. HEAVY USERS CAN POTENTIALLY BECOME SENSITIZED TO THIS PRODUCT.

[TheTruth]

i feed tuna its cheeper and has better results

[small_ranchu]

how do you feed it? and what kind of result are you talking about?

[Ranchu Rancher]

I feed frozen BW twice a day. Wonder if allergy problems are the same as freeze dried. Great now I will have to wear latex gloves and carry an epi pen when feeding my fish. Hey Truth can you tell us more about your use of Tuna.

Gregg

[suphi]

Don't worry too much about it. This happens if, and only if, you're allergic to it. If the reaction was common it would've been in the news and FDA would've pulled it off the shelf long time ago.

Most of the drugs that I prescribed to people have similar warnings, it's there for legal reasons. In reality, the incidence is very low.

[Corrie]

suphi, the biggest concern is this:

"HEAVY USERS CAN POTENTIALLY BECOME SENSITIZED TO THIS PRODUCT. "

A person could suddenly have a very severe reaction, totally out of the blue.
One of the biggest reactions is anaphylactic shock.

Corrie

[small_ranchu]

I believe they put those lines for legal reason. I am one of the heavy users of bloodworm and nothing happen to me(until now).

But if you really concern about it, you shouldn't use it.

[thomasn]

'heavy users' itself is pretty vague. because it could be one who feeds enough bw for 5-6 fish 10 times a day or one who feeds bw to 100s of fish at the same frequency. but I guess safe handling practice is easier to live with than an allergy.

[Cincy Ranchu]

Yes I have seen this, I used to itch but it gradually went away, I fee about 80 pounds a year, my son (31) is allergic and gets red spots, I have one guy come over and have had to give him Benedril as he breaks out in welts.

"The Truth" guy ( famous SVR japanese fish guy), Mr Tuna fish has had good luck over the years with canned water packed tune fish just crumbled into the tank.

My three grandkids are un affected, eventhough one is asmatic, to are sons of my son, but never handle the BW just the water like my son and another visitor.
Benedril will fix an adverse reaction quickly

[jinyu_fan]

I never touch the blood worms with my bare hands/fingers. I would use tweezers to pick them up and feed my tropicals, or just pop the cubes into a cone feeder for the goldfish. You can also wear rubber gloves if you are concern about allergy.

[nikond70s]

yeah its not so common for people to be alergic to the frozen bloodworms but like someone said just dont touch it. if you get the cube ones you should be ok. i rarely feed frozen bloodworms i only feed live fresh ones.