Toxic plant burns warning
HORRIFYING photos show the devastating burns caused by one toxic plant that can thrive in hot weather, after a dog walker’s daily route ended in disaster.
A 56-year-old Stockport resident was out walking his dog along his regular route through Gatley Carrs area on Tuesday last week.
After brushing past plants, unawares, he began feeling a burning sensation on his leg in the hours that followed.
By 3pm, the burning had given way to a rash. By 5pm, the rash turned into a ‘enormous,’ angry blisters. And by 7pm, the walker was at the Manchester Royal Infirmary walk-in centre pleading for treatment.
Initially, the walker and his wife had no idea what could have caused the extreme irritation, at first believing that he had been suffering a ‘heat rash,’ before thinking he could have been bitten by a ‘snake or insect.’
But upon doing some internet research and retracing his steps, they realised he had likely come into contact with Giant Hogweed.
The plant has been found on his dog walking route, and his injuries match up with other burns caused by the plant.
The resident told the Express: “I didn’t realise what I was dealing with. In fact, at first, I didn’t know what had caused the problem.
“I thought it was a snake or insect bite, but I couldn’t remember being bitten. The blister was growing as I was looking at it.
“It wasn’t until days later we found images online of other people’s injuries from this plant, which were identical to my own. I went back to my route and found this plant growing next to the path where I had walked. It is very easy to brush against it.”
Walk-in centre doctors burst the first blister, only for another to grow back.
The walker says he has been forced to go back to the doctors almost daily, and will likely be feeling the effects for months, if not years.
“I have been to the doctors almost every day since Tuesday, as the situation has progressed day on day,” he said.
“For the first four days, my leg was swollen from my foot up to my knee. I have been feeling nauseous and my skin has been sensitive generally.”
The toxic plant is a nonnative invasive plant species, according to the Woodland Trust. It can grow from 1.5 metres up to five metres tall, with a spread of between one and two metres, and particularly thrives in the warm temperatures that have hit the region this week.
Touching it causes severe burns and blistering on the skin that last for several months.
The sap of the weed, which looks like a giant version of the harmless plant cow parsley, is extremely toxic to humans and animals, causing horrific burns on the skin. The skin remains sensitive to UV light for many years.
Now, the victim is warning other residents to keep a look out for the plant, urging them to recognise its appearance and be aware of the harm it can cause.
“People really need to be aware of this because it is really serious,” he added.
“After researching online, I found that I could be sensitive to the sun for many years, which will impact on my life. Having a holiday in the future could be problematic because my skin will be so sensitive.”
The Woodland Trust advises anyone who touches Giant Hogweed to wash the area thoroughly immediately. You should also seek medical advice, and do not expose the area to sunlight for a few days.
The Trust’s website says: “The best way to avoid injury is to familiarise yourself with the plant.
“Avoid brushing through patches of giant hogweed and exposing yourself to plants which have been cut which might cause you to get sap on your skin.
“If you do get giant hogweed sap on your skin, be sure to wash the area thoroughly immediately, seek medical advice, and do not expose the area to sunlight for a few days.”