Burns from cow-sores
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
In the processes of borshevik contains a large percentage of essential oils, so its leaves and fruits are poisonous to humans. Also in this plant there is a component of furanocoumarin, sharply increasing the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. That is why, after touching this plant on the skin, irritation may occur or in severe cases a burn. In bright sunlight, burns from hogweed are the strongest.
[1]
Symptoms of the burn from cow-bream
When burned by a hogweed, symptoms usually appear only a short time after the juice of this poisonous plant has got on the skin. How severe the defeat will be depends on the sensitivity of the skin of each person, as well as on the intensity and brightness of the sun's rays at the time of the burn.
If the burn is very severe, large blisters with fluid inside may appear (it is absolutely impossible to uncover them), as well as swelling. Sometimes also there is a strong chill (the body temperature rises), the head hurts.
[2]
First signs
The first sign of a burn of a hogweed is an unremarkable, slightly itchy, and therefore not particularly disturbing reddening of the skin. At first, they do not even pay attention to him, but this does not last long.
If you do not respond to these symptoms, there will be edema that can disrupt the movement in the joints, and the erythema itself will increase in size, turning into blisters with a clear liquid inside - all this indicates that the burn becomes more severe.
[3]
Complications and consequences
What will happen if you do not treat a burn with a hogweed? In case you do not treat a burn with a hogweed, serious consequences can occur. Since this is a toxic plant, it can cause severe burns. If you do not receive first aid on time, you may experience complications such as an ulcer, erythema, or infection of the wound.
[4]
Diagnostics of the burn from cow-bream
After contact with the cowwort, the primary lesion of the skin after 1-2 days there is a slight erythema or blisters of different sizes. In this case, in places of burn, the skin usually does not itch, but burns. Even if there is extensive damage to the skin, the general condition of the patient remains normal, only sometimes it can temporarily raise the fever to a febrile figure.
In the dynamics of the rash, which causes burns from cowworm, does not spread over the surface, all of it is localized - the irritation is strictly limited to those parts of the skin that came into contact with the cow grouse and later were exposed to sunlight.
The erythematous stage of the disease passes several hours later, soon becoming a bullous. In this case, the sizes of bubbles range from small to gigantic, and their contents (if properly handled by them) remain transparent. The bullous stage lasts 2-4 days, and after that the bubbles are spontaneously opened.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Differential diagnosis
In the process of differential diagnosis, it is important to focus on the nature of the rashes. When a patient develops a rash due to burns from a hogweed, he has such symptoms:
- Rashes appear on several areas of the skin at the same time;
- The fluid inside the blisters is transparent;
- The rash is linear.
The presence of hypo- or hyperpigmentation on the skin indicates the development of photodermatitis.
Who to contact?
Treatment of the burn from cow-bream
To treat burns from hogweed follows such methods - to grease irritated places with anti-burn ointments, such as Panthenol, Rescuer or Opazel. In addition, it is necessary to hide the burn spots from the sun's rays (both direct and indirect). The best solution is avoiding being in the sun for the next 2 days.
It is also important to start taking antihistamines, as cowberries have a strong allergenic effect, and can cause both local and general reactions, up to the development of Quincke's angioneurotic edema. Still it is possible to drink anti-inflammatory preparations (for example, Paracetamol).
Help with burn hawkish
Help for burns with hogweed should be provided as quickly as possible - this will ease the course of the disease and avoid unpleasant complications. Noticing that you touched the cowworm, or if you get on the skin of the plant juice, immediately move to the shade. After this, rinse the area that has been in contact with the cowworm, running water and put a bandage on this place - to protect the damaged area from the sun. It is also possible, after washing, to treat the lesion with a solution of manganese (furacilin) or alcohol.
If the area of the lesion is very large or there are blisters, you should seek help from a specialist. The doctor will be able to prescribe the necessary treatment, which will help get rid of the burn and avoid serious consequences.
Medications
The following medicines are used during treatment:
- activated charcoal (up to table 5 three times a day before meals);
- antibacterial drugs (eg, Doxycycline 1 capsule twice daily);
- ointments against burns (for example, Fukortzin twice a day);
- immunosuppressive (Chloroquine 2 r. / day) and antihistamines (Kestin 1 table / day at night);
- creams with hormones (Triderm and Neodermium).
Doxycycline can cause side effects such as vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It is also possible allergy (itching, puffiness, rashes on the skin), increased sweating and dizziness.
To avoid ulceration of the esophagus, doxycycline should be taken with a large amount of liquid. Even during the treatment, as well as the next 4-5 days. After its termination it is necessary to avoid direct sunlight or ultraviolet radiation.
Fukortsin has the following side effects: short-term pain and burning sensation. It is not recommended to apply to large parts of the skin, because phenol, which is a part of the drug, easily gets into the blood and is capable of causing a toxic reaction (a sharp fall in blood pressure, weakness, dizziness, as well as a breathing disorder).
During the treatment with Chloroquine, you should regularly undergo an examination with the oculist, and also control the cellular composition of the blood. Among the side effects:
- GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT: a nausea with attacks of a vomiting, sharp pains in a stomach, a bad appetite.
- Sense organs, NS: psychosis, sleep problems, dizziness, headaches are possible, convulsive seizures occur.
- Cardiovascular area: lowering of arterial pressure, myocardial damage (electrocardiogram changes), thrombocytopenia and leukopenia.
- Allergies: photosensitivity and dermatitis.
- Other: hair loss (it is possible to change their color), myalgia, as well as arthralgia.
Kestin has such side effects:
- nausea;
- drowsiness;
- dryness in the oral cavity;
- asthenic syndrome;
- headache;
- epigastric pain;
- dyspepsia;
- insomnia;
- sinusitis.
It is not recommended to prescribe Kestin with hypersensitivity to the drug, pregnancy and lactation, children under 6 years of age according to the indications. If there are violations of liver metabolism, kidney failure, prolongation of the QT-interval, hypokalemia - the drug is prescribed only in extreme cases.
Treatment of burns by a hawk at home, alternative treatment
If you get juice of the cowwort on the skin, you should immediately get soaked with a napkin, and then close it with a dense bandage for several hours to exclude the possibility of exposure to the sun rays. Then a thick soap solution is applied to the burns from the hogweed and washed with water or vodka. Further on the lesion, a napkin, previously soaked in a solution of furacilin, is applied.
After 2-3 hours you can put lotions on the irritated area to remove inflammation and dry the burned skin. Gadgets are made from the root of the bug, as well as strong black tea and oak bark.
Homeopathy
When treating burns from a hogweed, the homeopathic preparation Tsindol is used. They smear the inflamed area 2-3 r. / Day. The bandage is not necessary to apply, because the medicine creates a dense crust on the skin, thereby protecting the wound.
More information of the treatment
Prevention
As a preventive measure, you should get rid of thickets of cow-grass. When working on plant destruction, the following conditions must be observed:
- Clean cow's must be in early spring, until it has not yet blossomed;
- Work in special clothes - tarpaulin jacket, pants and a shirt of dense fabric, rubber boots and gloves, a hat;
- Protect your eyes with special plastic glasses that you can buy at any hardware store;
- Apply a respiratory mask;
- After completing the work, immediately take a shower;
- To avoid burns, before starting work, you should water the cow with water;
- In case of contact with the cow grouse, keep on hand an antihistamine, baby zinc powder, Furacilin, an ordinary household soap, and a pack of soda.
Forecast
If the burns from the hogweed are diagnosed on time, and the treatment is started quickly, the prognosis is favorable.
[11]