Why can not touch the cow parsnip and what to do if you still touched

Why can not touch the cow parsnip

Sosnowski cow parsnip can rightly be called one of the most insidious plants. These high umbrellas of small white flowers attract attention. They want to approach, touch, photographed in their background. Especially that "flower" looks quite safe, it has no pungent smell and did not zhzhotsya. At first.

The fact that the cow parsnip - real biological weapon, people realize until some time after exposure.

Juice contains cowparsnip furanocoumarins. These toxic substances are deprived of the skin protection from ultraviolet radiation. They do not act immediately: between direct contact and development photodermatitisPhytodermatitis: Reactions in the Skin Caused by Plants (So-called skin reaction to UV) can pass from one hour to several days. But then it will not find it.

Enough man to go in the sun - and the skin, which was hogweed sap instantly get stronger burn. With all the attendant: the obvious redness and pain and not so obvious, but it is much more dangerous injuries cell fraught with melanoma.

If hogweed sap gets on the skin and mucous membranes of eyes, a person can go blind. With the defeat of 80% of body skin possible death.

The hardest contact furanocoumarins carry holders sensitive skin and children. They often receive severe burns, after which remain deep scars., Plastic surgery may be required to remove them.

Sosnovsky hogweed victims in Russia every year becomesCreepy cow parsnip: scientists have found a "biological weapon" against plant-conqueror several million people. Also toxic plant common in Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Ukraine.

How to recognize a cow parsnip

Hogweed are different. In Russia, it found up to 15 species. Some, such as the Siberian cow parsnip, even edible. Poisonous only two types: cow parsnip Sosnowski (common in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States) and Heracleum mantegazzianum (lives mainly in the UK, Central Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula).

Distinctive features of toxic Hogweed:

• The impressive growth. Heracleum sosnowskyi can reach 3 m, Paolo Mantegazza - 6 m.

• Thick stems - 5-10 cm in diameter at the bottom.
• Large smooth, almost glossy leaves bright green color.
• Large white inflorescences. Central umbrella with a diameter of 30-50 cm - do not uncommon.

If still in doubt, use PlantNet application. Simply take a picture of the plant, select your location (to speed up the search) - and get the most probable name of the flower.

What if you just touched hogweed

1. Rinse the skin under running water

Use soap and a soft sponge opportunities. Do not save water, try completely rinse poisonous juice.

2. If necessary, wash thoroughly with eye and mouth

If there is a suspicion that the juice was on these sites, arrange thoughtful hygiene. Doctors from the Institute of Emergency Care. Sklifosofskogo recommendInstitute of Emergency Care N. IN. Sklifosovsky DMD wash the eyes and rinse your mouth for 15-20 minutes!

3. Hide from the sun

At least 2-3 days, try or do not go out in the daytime, or carefully protect your skin from direct sunlight with the help of clothes and an umbrella.

What to do if you notice a burning development

1. take an antihistamine

Any. Only clearly follow the instructions and observe the personal contraindications. Antihistamines help reduce the appearance of photodermatitis (redness, burning, itching) and facilitate state as a whole.

2. Treat the affected areas of the skin

First - any antiseptic solution: rubbing alcohol, chlorhexidine... This will help prevent the development of inflammation. Then apply dexpanthenol ointment (formulation will accelerate regeneration of the skin) and apply a sterile gauze bandage.

3. Seek medical help

No matter how big the damaged area. Even with minor burns definitely pay a visit to the physician or to the nearest medical center. If large areas of damaged or you feel it does not matter, call an ambulance. From the proposed hospital is better not to give up.

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