I now need a glove for fishing. Can you recommend me one?

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

Been fishing my entire life (32yrs old). I raised and bred fish for 15years. I have touched, eaten and cleaned fish my entire life. I enjoy cleaning fish. I used to show fish in fish shows around the midwest. I used to breed fish and raised native fish too. As of the past 2 years, I have somehow become allergic to fish. It has not been medically diagnosed. It may be their slime or something, but one thing for sure is: when I touch fish, my hand starts to itch and swell and if I was to eat some, my throat would feel tight. I cannot believe this is happening to me now as my life includes so many aspect of fish. Wife jokes around that this is a sign that I need to stop fishing. I told her I'll pick up hunting and she cringed.

So....curious, do you know of any gloves that I can use that are completely waterproof and durable? I'd like the glove cover my hands to my elbow to ensure that when I reach for a fish, my arm won't get wet. I want to ensure the glove is durable so it won't rip when I lip fish. I don't need it to thermal based.

I hope this never happens to anyone. It really does suck. Hate to be that guy that is afraid to hold a fish or gives a fish to his buddy to take the lure off.

[DrJuice1980]

I'm sorry for the news. Any rubber glove should do the trick.

If you take a benadryl does it help?

The body of water makes no difference?

Man, that stinks.

[CaptainMusky]

My 13 YO son had a similar situation as you. When he was little (under 4) he absolutely devoured fish. I mean, he could eat more fish than I could. Then, at about 7 after eating fish he complained of chest pain. He actually said he thought he was having a heart attack. We attributed it to the fact he inadvertently dumped a ton of lemon pepper on the fish and he got heartburn. He wouldn't eat fish after that. Claimed he was allergic. I finally convinced him to try a piece of fish a couple years ago. He says "yeah, this is really good!" About 5 minutes later he was in the bathroom throwing up! Then, my wife made Salmon and broccoli. He says I will have some broccoli, but I cant eat the fish. Trouble is, they were in the same container. Well, after eating the broccoli his lips began to swell! After an allergy test it was determined he was allergic to all sorts of fish. He now has epipens. Really frustrating to me and him, but I am in the same boat as you trying to find something.

He doesn't seem to this point have an issue handling the fish, just eating them.

Mainly what I tend to find in the waterproof area are neoprene and those would be terrible to use in the warm weather.

[solbes]

I'd try to find some long nitrile gloves. Maybe double glove it if you really want to be safe.

If you don't already, you should get a prescription from a Dr for an Epipen. Never know when someome might cook something with fish (unknown to you). Our daughters have peanut allergy, so we have to keep these around just in case.

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

Drjuice1980--I have tried benadryl and it makes no difference.

Captain Musky---I have a son that is 3 years old. I hope he doesn't have what I have. Thanks for sharing your insight and story too. I am sure he appreciates your support.

Solbes---I might need to get my doc to prescribe something or confirm what I have. Wife has been pressuring me to for 2 years now, but I keep pushing it off.

I know I am not at the point of fearing my life if I touch or eat fish.

Thanks for the input all.

[CCGinMN]

Drjuice1980--I have tried benadryl and it makes no difference.

I am severely allergic to nuts and can offer you this advice: Every time you have a reaction it will become more severe. At some point in your future, you will come in contact with fish (maybe touching it, maybe airborne from someone cooking it). Benadryl will slow the reaction down. Instead of your airways swelling shut in 15 minutes, Benadryl will stall it out to 35. This will make a huge difference when you are 25 minutes away from a hospital. You should carry an epipen with you and Benadryl. I only carry Benadryl but should also carry both.

Around seven years ago we were ice fishing out on eight mile flat. One of my buddies was allergic to fish, ate some, and had a reaction. I gave him Benadryl and started heading to shore. By the time we arrived at the Aitkin hospital, he could barely breath. My Benadryl may have saved his life (Dr told us it did).

[CaptainMusky]

Around seven years ago we were ice fishing out on eight mile flat. One of my buddies was allergic to fish, ate some, and had a reaction. I gave him Benadryl and started heading to shore. By the time we arrived at the Aitkin hospital, he could barely breath. My Benadryl may have saved his life (Dr told us it did).

That is so scary! But quick thinking on your part.

The last couple years I have gone to Lake of the Woods in Canada and camped on an island for a week. This year we are bringing our oldest sons with and this has me very scared. I have already settled myself that we will bring completely separate food for him, but the fact that we are 45 minutes by boat from Sioux Narrow and Lord knows how far from a hospital has me second guessing this. I don't want him to go through life and not have experiences like this, but I also don't want to put him in grave danger. I will have Benadryl and epipens with. I also plan to have an emergency plan in place by contacting the Canadian Authorities in advance, but I am just nervous.

[delcecchi]

Those sorts of allergies are really scary. I know of a guy, friend of a friend deal, who was on an Island on Rainy lake, went out to take a wiz before bed and got stung by a wasp/hornet and died from Anaphylaxis . Never had a previous indication of allergy.

Wife got hold of the authorities and couldn't tell them where they were, not that it would have helped.

I would want all the meds I could get to have along and some reliable communications in this situation. But I am sure you have already thought of all that. Is there phone? Or can you rent a satellite phone? One of those emergency things?

[CaptainMusky]

Cell coverage is spotty. Not sure about other alternatives. The Dr suggested we set up a evac plan with Canadian authorities in advance but I'm not sure I want to bring attention to us not that we break the law or anything.

[Boar]

curious, isnt there a safe consumption level of fish intake, mayb those that have like mention, devored and, and life revolves around fish, are now prone to a reaction of sorts, everyone immune is different of course. isnt the safe consumption theroy based around mercury levels or somethin? those yellow dishglove should help.

[delcecchi]

Cell coverage is spotty. Not sure about other alternatives. The Dr suggested we set up a evac plan with Canadian authorities in advance but I'm not sure I want to bring attention to us not that we break the law or anything.

I would consider one of these or something like it, at a minimum if I had a situation like you face.

http://findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102

It is a satellite communication device and gps with the ability to send messages and alert authorities. It is also relatively affordable.

They also have satellite phones and other tracking and communication devices.

[Mr.Seaguar]

Not trying to scold anyone but it sure sounds like someone is going to end up dead trying to catch fish when they need to find a new hobby

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

Seeing my doc soon.

[CaptainMusky]

Not trying to scold anyone but it sure sounds like someone is going to end up dead trying to catch fish when they need to find a new hobby

Seriously!?

If you would say that to my face I would knock your teeth out. We all take risks every day of our life who are you to judge? I don't want my son to have to go through life being afraid and not able to experience things because of an allergy.

Of course I am taking this very seriously and know the ramifications, but he is not allergic to touching fish just consuming them, which obviously he wouldn't do.

Del, thanks for that link. I have one on order. That should work perfect!

[RuddyDuck]

Would using something like a Boga Grips help? Then you wouldn't have to touch the fish so much. Especially smaller ones. Not sure if you're fishing just for bass, but maybe barbless hooks might help too. Easier to get the fish off. They make gloves for picking up decoys that go to your elbow, but not sure how they would be for fishing. Google some of those options I guess. Hope things work out.

[MontanaMax]

Anytime I lake fish, especially bass or pike, I get fish slime from shaking fish on my arms, neck and face, jeans, you name it. Fish slime gets on all parts of the boat that I later touch. Heck. I've gotten fish slime on my bait and lures from missed strikes and missed fish, and even rod handles from being stowed next to another rod. Point is, just using surgical gloves or other methods to avoid slime in handling fish won't solve the problem for a fish allergic. Some more to think about because indirect contact can be just as problematic.

I'd think about taking the kid's allergist along....

[delcecchi]

Del, thanks for that link. I have one on order. That should work perfect!

I would be interested in knowing how well it works, how long it takes for the message to show up etc.

Our canoeing/fishing group is getting older all the time and I have been considering a spot for safety reasons. Also would make momma more relaxed.