With the catfish contest coming on I thought I would ask if anyone else has ever experienced skin allergies to handling catfish? When I was a kid I had no problems with it. I grew up in the Plain City area and frequently fished Willard, the lower Weber River and numerous irrigation ponds and canals for catfish. Literally thousands of catfish handled, no problems. About the time I got out of high school I noticed irritation on any skin that touched the fish after handling catfish. This is not getting poked by barbs mind you, just touching catfish skin. It's gotten so bad now that just touching one catfish without gloves will result in a severe rash followed by drying, cracking and the loss of several layers of skin. Strange thing is I can still eat the meat without any ill effects. Anyone else experience anything like this?
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Does this phenomenon come with handling other Willard fish? If so, it could be something in the water vs. the fish. If you can handle the walleyes, and wiper from Willard then obviously that theory would not hold.
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No problems with any other species of fish from Willard or any other lake. Doesn't matter what lake the catfish come from, Willard Weber R., Bear R., Cutler, Pineview. If it's a catfish I have problems. Was a little worried with catching burbot the first time this year. I thought maybe with their smooth skin like catfish I might have a problem, No problem.
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I am not familiar with this type of allergen, however, if you are concerned make an appointment with Dr. Douglas Jones in Layton. My kid had some very severe food allergies and through his treatment process she can now eat anything that she wants. Some people are not aware that it is now possible to overcome food and other allergies through treatment methods. Good luck.
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Thank you for that info! I would love to handle whisker fish again without wearing gloves to do so.
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