I am not a doctor, therefore I cannot recommend experimenting with a mild touch to see if you have an allergic reaction. It is probably best to avoid contacting them at all to avoid any severe reactions. Some of the messages I have read mention sensitivity increases over time, but I cannot find a study to back up that statement. With the increasing popularity of aquariums, allergy to chironomids may become less of a novelty and become something clinicians should be aware of when searching for the cause of a patient's atopic symptoms.īeyond the allergic reactions, which can be severe, I have found no other evidence of problems from touching bloodworms. There have been a number of previously reported cases of hypersensitivity to chironomids. Individuals at particular risk of chironomid-induced allergy include fish farmers, fishermen, pet shop owners, and others who keep fish or work with fish Although chironomids can be found in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, allergies to them are mainly due to their use as fish food. If you search against "Bloodworm allergies", you will find many accounts related by people who have discovered that touching bloodworms (frozen or not) can cause allergic reactions, which is why you should wear gloves when handling them.Īccording to the study, " Fishing for Allergens: Bloodworm-Induced Asthma" at the Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology (AACI) site:īloodworms, which are larvae of chironomids (also called freshwater midges), are often used as fish food or bait. No, it does not appear that anything harmful beyond an allergic reaction takes place.
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