Bursa burns

The shoots of hogweed contain a large percentage of essential oils, so its leaves and fruits are poisonous to humans. This plant also contains a component called furanocoumarin, which sharply increases the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. That is why after touching this plant, irritation or, in severe cases, a burn may occur on the skin. In bright sunlight, burns from hogweed are most severe.

[ 1 ]

Symptoms burns from the hogweed

When a hogweed burn occurs, symptoms usually appear only some time after the juice of this poisonous plant comes into contact with the skin. How severe the damage will be depends on the sensitivity of each person's skin, as well as the intensity and brightness of the sun's rays at the time of the burn.

If the burn is very severe, large blisters with liquid inside may appear (it is strictly forbidden to open them on your own), as well as swelling. Sometimes severe chills also appear (body temperature rises), headache.

[ 2 ]

First signs

The first sign of a hogweed burn is an unremarkable, slightly itchy, and therefore not particularly disturbing reddening of the skin. At first, it is not even noticed, but it does not last long.

If these symptoms are not addressed, swelling will occur, which can impair movement in the joints, and the erythema itself will increase in size, turning into blisters with clear liquid inside - all this indicates that the burn is becoming more severe.

[ 3 ]

Complications and consequences

What happens if you don't treat a burn with hogweed? If you don't treat a burn with hogweed, serious consequences may occur. Since this is a toxic plant, it can cause severe burns. If you don't get first aid in time, complications such as ulcers, erythema, or wound infection may occur.

[ 4 ]

Diagnostics burns from the hogweed

After contact with hogweed, the primary lesion of the skin after 1-2 days is a slight erythema or blisters of varying sizes. In this case, the skin in the burn areas usually does not itch, but burns. Even if extensive skin damage is observed, the general condition of the patient remains normal, only sometimes the temperature may rise to febrile numbers for some time.

In dynamics, the rash caused by burns from hogweed does not spread over the surface, it is all localized - irritation is strictly limited to only those areas of the skin that came into contact with hogweed, and were later exposed to sunlight.

The erythematous stage of the disease passes after a few hours, soon turning into a bullous stage. The size of the blisters varies from small to gigantic, and their contents (if properly cared for) remain transparent. The bullous stage lasts 2-4 days, after which the blisters spontaneously open.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]

Differential diagnosis

In the process of differential diagnostics, it is important to focus on the nature of the rash. When a patient develops a rash due to burns from hogweed, he/she has the following symptoms:

• The rash appears on several areas of the skin at the same time;
• The fluid inside the blisters is clear;
• The rash pattern is linear.

The presence of hypo- or hyperpigmentation on the skin indicates the development of photodermatitis.

Treatment burns from the hogweed

Burns from hogweed should be treated with the following methods: lubricate the irritated areas with anti-burn ointments, such as Panthenol, Rescuer or Opazol. In addition, it is necessary to hide the burn areas from the sun's rays (both direct and indirect). The best solution would be to avoid being in the sun for the next 2 days.

It is also important to start taking antihistamines, as hogweed has a strong allergenic effect and can cause both local and general reactions, up to the development of Quincke's angioedema. You can also take anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, Paracetamol).

Help with hogweed burns

Help for a hogweed burn should be provided as quickly as possible - this will alleviate the course of the disease and avoid unpleasant complications. If you notice that you have touched the hogweed, or if the plant juice gets on your skin, immediately move to the shade. After this, wash the area that came into contact with the hogweed with running water and apply a bandage to this place - to protect the damaged area from the sun. After washing, you can also treat the lesion with a solution of potassium permanganate (Furacilin) or alcohol.

If the affected area is very large or blisters have appeared, you should seek help from a specialist. The doctor will be able to prescribe the necessary treatment that will help get rid of the burn and avoid serious consequences.

Medicines

The following medications are used during treatment:

• activated carbon (up to 5 tablets three times a day before meals);
• antibacterial drugs (for example, Doxycycline, 1 capsule twice a day);
• ointments against burns (for example, Fukortsin twice a day);
• immunosuppressants (Chloroquine 2 times a day) and antihistamines (Kestin 1 tablet a day at night);
• creams containing hormones (Triderm and Neoderm).

Doxycycline can cause side effects such as vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain. Allergies (itching, swelling, skin rashes), increased sweating and dizziness are also possible.

To prevent ulceration of the esophagus, Doxycycline should be taken with plenty of liquid. Even during treatment, as well as for the next 4-5 days after its completion, it is necessary to avoid exposure to direct sunlight or ultraviolet radiation.

Fukortsin has the following side effects: short-term pain and burning. It is not recommended to apply it to large areas of skin, because phenol, which is part of the drug, easily gets into the blood and can cause a toxic reaction (a sharp drop in blood pressure, weakness, dizziness, and respiratory distress).

During treatment with Chloroquine, you need to undergo regular examination by an ophthalmologist, as well as monitor the cellular composition of the blood. Among the side effects:

• Gastrointestinal tract: nausea with bouts of vomiting, sharp abdominal pain, poor appetite.
• Sensory organs, nervous system: psychosis, sleep problems, dizziness, possible headaches, occurrence of seizures.
• Cardiovascular area: decreased blood pressure, myocardial damage (electrocardiogram readings change), thrombocytopenia and leukopenia.
• Allergies: photosensitivity and dermatitis.
• Others: hair loss (possibly change in color), myalgia, and arthralgia.

Kestin has the following side effects:

• nausea;
• drowsiness;
• dry mouth;
• asthenic syndrome;
• headaches;
• epigastric pain;
• dyspepsia;
• insomnia;
• sinusitis.

It is not recommended to prescribe Kestin in case of hypersensitivity to the drug, pregnancy and lactation, children under 6 years of age according to indications. If there are disorders of liver metabolism, renal failure, prolongation of the QT interval, hypokalemia - the drug is prescribed only in extreme cases.

Treatment of burns with hogweed at home, folk treatment

If hogweed juice gets on your skin, you should immediately blot the area with a napkin and then cover it with a tight bandage for several hours to prevent the wound from being exposed to sunlight. Then apply a thick soap solution to hogweed burns and wash them with water or vodka. Next, apply a napkin soaked in a Furacilin solution to the affected area.

After 2-3 hours, you can apply poultices to the irritated area to relieve inflammation and dry out the burnt skin. Poultices are made from the root of the burnet, as well as strong black tea and oak bark.

Homeopathy

When treating burns from hogweed, the homeopathic drug Tsindol is used. It is applied to the inflamed area 2-3 times a day. There is no need to apply a bandage, because the medicine creates a dense crust on the skin, thereby protecting the wound.

Prevention

As a preventive measure, you should get rid of the hogweed thickets. When working to destroy the plant, you must observe the following conditions:

• It is necessary to remove hogweed in early spring, before it blooms;
• Work in special clothing - a canvas jacket, trousers and a shirt made of thick fabric, rubber boots and gloves, a hat;
• Protect your eyes with special plastic glasses, which can be purchased at any hardware store;
• Use a respirator mask;
• After completing the work, take a shower immediately;
• To avoid burns, water the hogweed before starting work;
• In case of contact with hogweed, keep an antihistamine, baby zinc powder, Furacilin, regular laundry soap, and a pack of soda on hand.

[ 9 ], [ 10 ]

Forecast

If hogweed burns are diagnosed in time and treatment is started quickly, the prognosis is favorable.

[ 11 ]