Hogweed sap causes deep chemical burns and lifelong scarring

Contact with hogweed leads to deep chemical burns that require prolonged treatment and can result in lifelong scarring. The plant's sap causes painful wounds that typically take several weeks to heal.

Risk Groups and Complications

Children and pregnant women face the highest risk due to thinner skin, which allows injuries to penetrate deeper. In severe cases, this leads to permanent cosmetic defects or the need for skin grafts. Injuries to the legs typically result in a loss of working capacity for up to three weeks.

Sergey Bogdanov, head of the burn unit at the Ochapovsky Research Institute of Clinical Clinical Hospital No. 1 in the Krasnodar Territory, noted that prolonged contact, especially in children, can lead to skin grafts or significant cosmetic impairment.

The severity of the injury depends on the person's age, the location of the contact, and the density of the clothing worn at the time of exposure. The healing process is characterized by intense pain and itching.

Prevention and Immediate Action

To avoid injuries, all contact with the plant should be eliminated. When working in gardens or plots, it is necessary to use dense closed clothing, gloves, masks, and protective goggles. Sap is released from any part of the hogweed plant, and burns may not appear immediately, sometimes manifesting up to 24 hours after contact.

First Aid Protocol

• Required: Rinse the affected area with running water at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. If sap enters the eyes, keep the eyelids wide open during rinsing.
• Prohibited: Do not rub the burn site and do not use baking soda or vinegar, as these substances increase tissue damage.

Important: This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change treatment without a qualified clinician.

Source: This article was adapted from an original Russian-language publication by Pravda.Ru.