DOCTORS have warned Brits about the dangers of giant hogweed.
Often dubbed the “UK’s most-dangerous plant”, the nasty vegetation can leave you with pus-filled, golf-ball sized blisters.
iStock – GettyDoctors have warned Brits about the dangers of giant hogweed[/caption]
This happens when chemicals in its sap react with melanin in your skin in a process called photodermatitis or photosensitivity.
Victims will become sensitive to sunlight which can cause not just painful blisters but also pigmentation and long-lasting scars.
And if the hairs or sap of giant hogweed – Heracleum mantegazzianum – come into contact with your eyes, you can go blind.
The invasive menace – also known as Cow Parsnip – is found all over Britain in riverbanks, fields, forests and green pastures.
Giant hogweed can grow to a whopping 25ft and can be easily mistaken for Cow Parsley with its green, rhubarb-like stems and small white flowers.
But it is identified by its purple blotched stem, green leaves and flower heads which can grow 2ft across.
Dr Kelvin Fernandez, healthcare educator at Ace Med Boards, branded the stinger the “boogeyman of the plant kingdom” as he gave tips on what to do if you come into contact with it.
He told the Daily Record: “It’s important to get away from the plant.
“Then, rinse the exposed area with cold water immediately and as thoroughly as you can.”
If the plant’s sap touches your clothes, it is vital to remove the affected item and not allow your skin to come into contact with it.
The clothes must go straight in the wash as the sap can remain on fibres and continue to harm you if not washed off.
The NHS recommends using soap and water to wash the affected area and says if you begin to feel unwell you should speak to a doctor.
Daniel, 21, said his blisters grew as big as “golf balls” after brushing past a giant hogweed as he retrieved a football in a West London park.
He later collapsed under his own body weight as the swelling caused “unbearable” pain.
Meanwhile Tina Sabine, 28, woke up looking like a “Teletubby” after touching the horror plant in 2021.
The 28-year-old, from Royal Leamington Spa, west Midlands, was left with horrific blisters on her face, a swollen neck and oozing hands.
She said at the time: “I wasn’t really conscious the first few days.
“It’s scary to think that there are kids out playing and could touch it,” she said.”
Daniel was left with pus-filled golf ball-sized blisters after coming into contact with a giant hogweedCredit: Pen News
Kennedy NewsTina Sabine, 28, woke up looking like a ‘Teletubby’ after brushing against a giant hogweed in 2021[/caption]
She was left with horrific blisters on her face, a swollen neck and oozing handsKennedy News Read More