2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
The hogweed is a fairly common plant in many regions. And if we simply do not pay attention to the hogweed growing along the roads or outside an uninhabited locality, then it is simply impossible not to notice it at the summer cottage. This weed grows very quickly, filling everything around and displacing other plants from the territory
In addition, some species of this plant are dangerous to humans. Including Sosnovsky's hogweed.
What is Sosnovsky's hogweed?
It is a herbaceous plant up to three meters high with umbellate inflorescences up to forty centimeters in diameter. The stem thickness is also impressive, it can be up to 8 centimeters. The root is taproot, going into the ground to a depth of two meters. It blooms in July, gives seeds in September, but these dates can be shifted by a month, that is, flowering in August, and seeds in September.
Why is this type of hogweed dangerous?
Sosnovsky's hogweed in its juice contains phototoxic substances, otherwise called furanocoumarins. Their danger lies in the fact that getting on human skin, these substances cause burns, in addition, they reduce to almost zero the ability of the skin to perform a protective function from ultraviolet radiation, which leads to severe burns when walking in the sun. The cow parsnip is also dangerous because when its juice gets on the skin, the reaction does not occur immediately, as, for example, in nettles. No pain, no external manifestations, so many calmly continue the walk after contact with Sosnovsky's cow parsnip. The consequences usually appear within two to three days: burns appear on the skin (from the first to the third degree), they can be especially severe if, after contact with the plant, a person has been in the sun for some time. In addition, the juice can be easily absorbed by the skin and penetrate into the deeper layers, causing burns to the inner layers of the skin: subcutaneous tissue and dermis.
In addition to the above, the plant releases dangerous essential oils into the air, which are a strong allergen. A person prone to allergies can suddenly begin to swell the larynx, and if help is not quickly provided, the person may die.
If, in contact with the plant, your eyes were somehow hurt, then immediately consult a doctor, without wasting a minute! Since external contact leads to damage not only to the outer membranes of the eyes, but also to the cornea!
Well, and the most unpleasant thing is that the juice of a plant can cause a mutogenic effect, that is, in some cases, irreversible violations in chromosomes appear (but this is with prolonged contact with a plant without personal protective equipment).
With prolonged contact with cow parsnip, the degree of damage to the outer and inner layers of the skin increases. Which can be fatal.
Treatment
In general, when getting burns from contact with cow parsnip, it is better not to self-medicate, but to go to the hospital, since most often it is very difficult to cure burns on their own and the person spends some time in the hospital. If it is not possible to quickly go to the hospital, then thoroughly rinse the burned skin with a weak solution of baking soda. It should be cool. Then lubricate the damaged skin with any burn remedy and take an antihistamine. After that, be sure to consult a doctor to prescribe a course of treatment!
If contact with the plant was short-lived, then the case usually ends with dermatitis that does not require treatment, which disappears on its own within a few days. But just in case, it's best to take any antihistamines that's right for you.
Important! Avoid walking in areas where Sosnovsky's cow parsnip grows. If it grows on your site, then when dealing with it, be sure to wear personal protective equipment, including a respirator and goggles!
I will tell you how to get rid of this plant in the next article.
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