Allergy to Fish

Well here's a probably new one!

So, I've noticed that I have a problem. It's happened often enough that I've narrowed it down pretty well.

Anytime I handle fish, my hand literally rots. Not even kidding. I go through a 3 week long process where the skin on my hands starts dying and peeling off across my entire hand.

There is a slim possibility of it being due to rockfish spines. However, if I wear gloves that I used for fishing a couple days after, I end up with the same rash on my hands. So my bet it is some kind of allergic reaction to the fish slime coat?

Anyone ever seen anything like that? It's happened too often to be a coincidence. The day after I go fishing, my hands are burning red and then it starts dying 3-4 days later.

Googling around the net seems to indicate it's extremely rare, but I've seen a few so far describing my exact symptoms. So I'm going to throw in an additional discussion point - Anyone recommend good gloves that will keep fish slime off my hands and still be comfortable to wear while paddling?

You should talk to Ron (Weimarian). He is allergic to fish too.

Are you sure you're not allergic to the glove material?

Yes, it's the same material I use for work every day. It's actually better on the days I wear the gloves. After my SWS trip a few weeks ago it's been rather awful since I did not wear my gloves due to forgetting them. But if I wear the glove and catch fish, then try to wear it again a 2nd time I will have a reaction to it.

I'll PM Weimarian later if he doesn't see this thread. Thanks!

I think his is related to eating them as opposed to touching them.
I'd go talk to a dermatologist.

yup... mine has gotten less severe over time but nitrile gloves are your friends. use them under you reg gloves

I was hoping to avoid that route.. I have giant hands and those just feel uncomfortable. But may have no choice! Thanks.

I've never heard of this before and started looking into it.
You are not alone.
I could not find one person that had a solution for it.
Is there any kind of cream that might leave a protective barrier on your hands? Just a guess on my part.
I get poison oak real bad...REAL bad.
This year at Lake Sonoma it was everywhere.
I got an alcohol based hand sanitizer and used it liberally on my hands then immediately wiped them clean with a towel every time I came back from a hike.
Same to my face.
I avoided it this year even thought I know I went right through it.
I'm guessing the alcohol broke down the oil that I have the reaction to.
Maybe this is something you could look into also.
Again I am only speculating whether this will work or not for you, but from what I've read no one has yet come up with a solution.
Good luck.

My daughter has this. She cannot shell shellfish without breaking out, so I need to do it for her. She can eat shell fish with a fork after cooking just fine. 

Don't know what to suggest as a solution, but there should be something? I'll be keeping my eye on this thread in case there is a solid recommendation.

Thanks and good luck.

I Zod Out

I think it was Napa Justin that showed me this same sort of reaction.  If I remember correctly he said any time he handled squid, his skin would just sort of peel off.  Yikes!