Are freshwater planarian worms harmful to humans?

[newfishhobbyist]

Hi. I noticed white planarian worms crawling across the front of my 29 gallon freshwater tank that is freshwater, stocked with 2 Hornwort, 2 Java Fern, 1 Rill plant, and 15 Mickey Mouse Platy adolescent fry (most are solid and almost 1 inch in length). Tank temperature is aruond 79 degrees Farenheit.

I know why the planaria are there: because I have been over-feeding the fish, but not gravel syphoning as often as I should which is my fault.

Yesterday I noticed the worms while my left arm was submerged while cleaning the tank for a few minutes. When I pulled my left arm out, it was red and immediately develped raised, itchy welts which forced me to go to my clinic's Urgent Care to get benedryl and a prednisone prescription. The hives reaction went away but now I'm freaked out!

Are planaria worms toxic to humans (dead or alive) and do you think that is what my allergic reaction was related to? Or could I have developed an allergy to the plants in my tank? Or could my allergic reaction be related to a built up intolerance my body may have towards the frozen bloodworms or frozen brine shrimp that I feed my platies?

I am making an appointment with my allergist. But in the meantime, aside from purchasing non-latex gloves (I'm allergic to latex unfortunately) to wear when I do clean the tank/feed the fish...what else can I do to avoid another allergic reaction?

Should I throw out the frozen bloodworms and shrimp and see if that is the problem, and not the planarian worms?

Thanks for your help!

Newfishhobbyist

 

[guppy]

I have never heard of planaria harming man but many people aallergic to various algae

 

[Ianab]

You could probably do a bit of a DIY allergy test with the shrimp and bloodworm. Rub a piece on your arm and see what happens If you get a reaction in that spot, then you know to avoid that item.

If you know you have an allergy to latex, then it's possible you could have a reaction to other things as well. The allergist will test a lot of common things, but I dont know if bloodworms and planaria are on the common test lists. You might have to work those out for yourself and then ask the allergist for advice.

Cheers

Ian

 

[guppy]

That reminds me, many people are also allergic to bloodworms

 

[Nick660]

Was the skin broken on the arm you put in the tank?
Do you have a shellfish allergy at all?
I think worms do contain histamine as well. My brother had a nasty allergic reaction once when he got ragworm juice into a cut finger!

 

[Nick660]

Of course bloodworms are not true worms but actually midge larvae.
I knew that ........honest

 

[guppy]

When I hear the name bloodworm I always think of the predatory SW annelid similar to pile worms.

 

[Nick660]

Worms with attitude!

 

[Druu]

When I hear the name bloodworm I always think of the predatory SW annelid similar to pile worms.

Midge larva? News to me! My bloodworms go on large hooks for flounder and striped bass fishing.

 

[Lupin]

Midge larva?

Yes.