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Hogweed

WaysideWayside Posts: 845
in Problem solving

I had some blisters on my fingers for a few years.  Whenever it gets hot.  Not sure where these come from, as I had them when we didn't have a garden.  But it was suggested they could be an allergic reaction to a plant.

I know that spurge can upset your skin.

Then I heard on GTQ that Hogweed was bad, but only just searched the web and saw how bad it could be. 

So my questions are:

Is, are there any other plants I should be careful not to touch?

Is there an easy way to identify hogweed?

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Posts

  • WaysideWayside Posts: 845

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07mz0hb

    Bob – Hogweeds, both giant and normal, can cause a bad reaction. Another plant that can cause reaction is Fraxinella/Dittany – smells beautiful. Aloe Vera can calm the skin very well.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,145

    Ordinary hogweed is not harmful - as children we picked arms full of it to feed the pet rabbits.

    Giant Hogweed is the nasty one, and it is Giant, and hardly missable 

    This will help you to identify it http://www.wildfooduk.com/articles/giant-hogweed-and-common-hogweed/

    Spurge is the other plant which can cause problems, if the sap gets onto your skin.  


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    Am I correct in thinking that some plants with hairy leaves can cause people problems? Something to do with the hairs going into the skin. 

    If I get scratched by brambles or pine branches I come up in huge welts and I'm not a sensitve soul. Nutcutlet had a run in with something some weeks ago... 

    Just take care and give yourself a thorough scrub when you come in from the garden. Maybe think about using a barrier cream before you start too.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,145

    And of course, wearing long sleeves and trousers when doing stuff in undergrowth is sensible image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WaysideWayside Posts: 845

    I (and partner) have a reaction to brushing past our hops.  Which is a shame, because it makes a really impressive living barrier.

    Last edited: 18 August 2016 11:43:00

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    All members of the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae, commonly known as the celery, carrot or parsley family, have the potential to cause photo-sensitivity in susceptible people.

    Radish leaves give me a rash.

  • WaysideWayside Posts: 845

    Giant hogweed can play havoc for up to 7 years!  Which does make me think I had something akin to that on my fingers.  That's a good link above.  Suggests it normally is found near fresh water streams.

  • RainbowfishRainbowfish Posts: 276

    Poinsettia will as well. It's an euphobia like spurge.

    Last edited: 18 August 2016 11:56:34

  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    We're all doomed image image

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546

    The herb rue is another one that causes photo-sensitivity and blistering for some people. The leaves are pretty and it has a strange, bitter, cold smell that is horrible, but when I see a plant I always have to sniff it to remind myself just how horrid it isimage

    Fremontodendron is one with tiny little hairs that break off easily and apparently can cause real problems if you get them in your eyes.

    I find hyacinth bulbs make me itchy and cosmetics with almond oil seem to make my eyes extra light sensitive, goodness knows howimage

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