Why you can't touch the cow parsnip and what to do if you did touch it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A selfie with a giant dill is fraught with severe burns and even death.

Why you shouldn't touch the cow parsnip

Sosnovsky's hogweed can rightfully be called one of the most insidious plants. These tall umbrellas made of small white flowers are eye-catching. You want to approach them, touch them, take a picture against their background. Moreover, the "flower" looks completely safe, does not have a pungent smell and does not burn at all. At first.

The fact that cow parsnip is a real biological weapon, people guess only some time after contact.

Hogweed juice contains furanocoumarins. These toxic substances deprive the skin of its UV protection. They do not act immediately: it can take from one hour to several days between direct contact and the development of Phytophotodermatitis / Medscape (the so-called skin reaction to UV). But then it will not seem a little.

It is enough for a person to go out into the sun - and the skin on which the hogweed juice has gotten will instantly receive a severe burn. With all the accompanying: obvious redness and soreness and not so obvious, but much more dangerous cell damage, fraught with melanoma.

If hogweed juice gets on the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, a person may go blind. If 80% of the skin of the body is affected, death is possible.

The most difficult contact with furanocoumarins is for owners of sensitive skin and children. They often get severe burns, after which deep scars remain. Plastic surgery may be required to remove them.

Horrible hogweed annually become victims of Sosnovsky's hogweed only in Russia: scientists have found a "biological weapon" against the plant-conqueror / "Moskovsky Komsomolets" several million people. Also, a toxic plant is common in Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Ukraine.

How to recognize a hogweed

Hogweed are different. Up to 15 species are found in Russia. Some, like the Siberian hogweed, are even edible. Only two species are poisonous: Sosnovsky's hogweed (common in Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries) and Mantegazzi's hogweed (lives mainly in Great Britain, Central Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula).

Distinctive features of poisonous hogweed:

• Impressive growth. Sosnovsky's hogweed can reach 3 m, Mantegazzi - 6 m.
• Thick stems - up to 5-10 cm in diameter at the bottom.
• Large smooth, almost glossy leaves of bright green color.
• Large white inflorescences. A central umbrella with a diameter of 30-50 cm is not uncommon.

If in doubt, use the PlantNet app. Just take a photo of the plant, indicate your location (to speed up your search) - and get the most likely name for the flower.

What to do if you've just touched a cow parsnip

1. Rinse your skin under running water

Use soap and a soft sponge if possible. Do not save water, try to completely wash off the poisonous juice.

2. If necessary, rinse your eyes and mouth thoroughly

If there is a suspicion that the juice has got to these areas, arrange a thoughtful hygiene procedure. Doctors from the N. V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Medicine named after N. V. Sklifosovsky DZM / Official Facebook-page to rinse your eyes and rinse your mouth for 15–20 minutes!

3. Hide from the sun

For at least 2-3 days, try to either not go outside at all during daylight hours, or carefully protect your skin from direct sunlight with clothes and an umbrella.

What to do if you notice the development of a burn

1. Take an antihistamine

Anyone. Just follow the instructions carefully and take into account personal contraindications. Antihistamines will help reduce the manifestations of photodermatitis (redness, burning, itching) and alleviate the condition in general.

2. Treat the affected skin

First - with any antiseptic solution: rubbing alcohol, chlorhexidine. This will help prevent inflammation from developing. Then apply dexpanthenol ointment (the drug will speed up skin regeneration) and apply a sterile gauze bandage.

3. Get medical attention

It doesn’t matter how large the affected area is. Even with a minor burn, be sure to visit a therapist or the nearest first-aid post. If large areas are damaged or you are not feeling well, call an ambulance. It is better not to refuse the proposed hospitalization.