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Girl Has Flesh 'Burned Away' And May Need Skin Graft After Brush With 'Britain’s Most Dangerous Plant'
WalesOnline ^ | 14 APR 2021 | Michael Havis

Posted on 04/15/2021 2:46:49 AM PDT by nickcarraway

Autumn Firth needed crutches after a chance encounter with the dreaded giant hogweed caused extremely painful burns to her feet

A teenage girl may need a skin graft after her flesh was burned away in a momentary brush with “Britain’s most dangerous plant”.

Autumn Firth, 13, was left on crutches after a chance encounter with the dreaded giant hogweed caused “extremely painful” burns to her feet. The teenager, from Denbigh, now has a long road to recovery before her.

“She was on the riverbank in Denbigh and she was barefoot,” said her dad Jonathan, 35.

“She stepped on a piece of the plant near the river. It was only seconds, but then she continued to play for another hour in the sun which may have made it worse. She didn’t feel any pain or discomfort all afternoon and evening, but she woke up at 5.55am to pain on her foot.

“She called me into her bedroom and said it felt like it was pulsating and tingling – she was terrified as she didn’t know what was happening to her foot."

He added: “I immediately took her to Glan Clwyd A&E when she was dressed. The doctors said they were deep and quite severe burns. She’s been on painkillers since and also using crutches. She has to return to the hospital for a check up and clean dressing every other day – she’s had special gel on her heel because it was so deep, to try to build the flesh back up.

“They have mentioned the possibility of her needing a skin graft on her heel but are seeing how it goes for the next few visits. They say it’ll take a long time to fully heal."

The sap of the giant hogweed stops the skin protecting itself against sunlight, leading to nasty burns when exposed to the sun’s rays. The plant is especially common along rivers, which can transport its seeds.

Mike Duddy, of the Mersey Basin Rivers Trust, said in 2015 that the giant hogweed was “without a shadow of a doubt, the most dangerous plant in Britain”. In 2018 we reported how dad Nathan Davies almost lost his leg and was left with a huge "shark bite" scar after coming into contact with hogweed — you can read his story here.

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Mr Firth, who works with animals for a living, warned other parents to watch out. He said: “Autumn has really struggled, she’s usually very athletic and active, so it’s been difficult for her.

“She’s been really brave but obviously it’s pretty much preventing her normal daily life and this is two weeks later. Her friends at Denbigh High have been really supportive of her. Please just check before letting your kids play outside, it’s a huge plant so if it’s taught about then it’s more easily avoided.

“I’ve read it grows near streams and rivers as that’s how the seeds spread, so just be vigilant – it only takes moments to read about it enough to recognise it.”

The giant hogweed is native to the Caucasus, but was introduced to Britain as an ornamental plant in 1817, and its spread has now got out of control. If exposed to the plant, you should thoroughly wash the area that made contact and keep it out of sunlight for a few days, the Woodland Trust advises.


TOPICS: Gardening; Health/Medicine; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: britain; hogweed; wales
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To: Jewbacca

Hmmmm..... that is a thought.........

Although it is a double edged sword. It can get you and it spreads.

Poison ivy could work as well.

I doubt any antif/blm anarchists would be familiar with its appearance.


41 posted on 04/15/2021 5:58:38 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.)
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To: FamiliarFace

I’ve got a kerosene fueled flame thrower... Finally and excuse to use it? ;-)


42 posted on 04/15/2021 5:59:23 AM PDT by ThunderSleeps (Biden/Harris - illegitimate and everyone knows it.)
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To: FamiliarFace
How do we get rid of it?
Nuke it from orbit.

It's the only way to be sure.

43 posted on 04/15/2021 6:05:32 AM PDT by Bratch (The only way men or women can be judged is against the canvas of their own time. - Louis L'Amour)
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To: central_va

Well, the blooms are white.


44 posted on 04/15/2021 6:10:16 AM PDT by PAR35
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To: ArtDodger; Augie

So Art,

Inform local County agricultural specialist for tracking purposes.

Spray it early spring, a week later go out at Night, remove all flowers carefully and bag for later burning, cut the rest down and put it in bags marked “HAZARD” somewhere to dry, burn your hazmat suit and go in shower in under low light, avoid sunlight for a few days! Dispose of the dry product at some local biohazard site along with all your accumulated dryed poison ivy!

Is that about right??


45 posted on 04/15/2021 6:17:31 AM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission
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To: Fresh Wind

Looks like Woody Allen’s flower garden from Sleeper.


46 posted on 04/15/2021 6:19:59 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: Iowa Granny; Ladysmith; Diana in Wisconsin; JLO; sergeantdave; damncat; phantomworker; joesnuffy; ..
Outdoors/Rural/wildlife/hunting/hiking/backpacking/National Parks/animals list please FR mail me to be on or off . And ping me is you see articles of interest.

From the map in post 17 the plant seems to have a bias toward liberal and contested states.

47 posted on 04/15/2021 6:23:23 AM PDT by SJackson ([Rome}A city for sale and doomed to quick destruction, if it should find a buyer, Gaius Crispus)
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To: nickcarraway

Are there any Research Doctors reading this thread?

If “the Poison is in the dose,” perhaps there is something in Hogweed that could be used or altered that increases the sensitivity of localized inoperable cancer to light, or flat out kills it.

(Assuming here that most protection against light occurs in the skin and not internally.)

Just a thought.

(I have chosen to NOT include a picture of David Hogg on this thread. You are welcome!)


48 posted on 04/15/2021 6:26:11 AM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission (Another put here by God plant that Willie Nelson should avoid smoking!)
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To: PAR35

That weed is definitely racist.


49 posted on 04/15/2021 6:26:18 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
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To: Pete from Shawnee Mission

“Is that about right??”
Not quite..
The local agricultural specialist already knew it was in the area so wasn’t interested in my sob story.
I never saw the plant. Must have been small, immature with no flowering head.
It certainly wasn’t the obvious 14’ behemoth. That wouldn’t come down with a weed whacker and would need a brush axe.
Just learning to move slower in my work and wear good protection. The rain gear seems to work but have to watch out for overheating when the days warm up.


50 posted on 04/15/2021 6:27:25 AM PDT by ArtDodger
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To: Fresh Wind

Wow, thanks. That picture certainly puts things in perspective.


51 posted on 04/15/2021 6:30:06 AM PDT by House Atreides
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To: mware
"Looks like giant Queen Ann’s Lace."

Or a bit like Hemlocks' grown up big brother.

https://ocj.com/2016/10/fall-is-a-great-time-to-control-next-years-poison-hemlock/

Ok to pick the Hemlock, just don't eat it! (Same with the Queen Annes Lace ladies!)

52 posted on 04/15/2021 6:42:50 AM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission (Another put here by God plant that Willie Nelson should avoid smoking!)
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To: nickcarraway

Countdown before some idiot here decides to bring it to this country


53 posted on 04/15/2021 6:44:27 AM PDT by School of Rational Thought
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To: ArtDodger

I clean along my lot lines very slowly. Since there is a lot of Quinquefoil and Japanese Honeysuckle I have to pick my way through slowly and carefully!


54 posted on 04/15/2021 6:46:56 AM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission (Another put here by God plant that Willie Nelson should avoid smoking!)
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To: School of Rational Thought

“Countdown before some idiot here decides to bring it to this country”


55 posted on 04/15/2021 6:48:20 AM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Patriot Babe

Only triffids ate you after stinging you.


56 posted on 04/15/2021 6:54:15 AM PDT by Hootowl
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To: nickcarraway; Fresh Wind; Candor7; Chicory; 4everontheRight; 4Liberty; 5thGenTexan; 45semi; ...
Prepper Information – for outdoors folks/hikers - the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) toxicity

“I’ve read it grows near streams and rivers as that’s how the seeds spread, so just be vigilant
– it only takes moments to read about it enough to recognize it.”

The giant hogweed is native to the Caucasus, but was introduced to Britain as an ornamental plant in 1817, and its spread has now got out of control.
If exposed to the plant, you should thoroughly wash the area that made contact and keep it out of sunlight for a few days, the Woodland Trust advises.

The giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) may grow 14 feet tall and is characterized by a blossom of white umbrella-shaped flowers atop the plant.
It may look similar to Queen Anne’s lace and cow parsnip, thus making it difficult to identify.”

Post #10 by FReeper Fresh Wind is a photo of a mature Hog height and Flower structure
Post #17 by FReeper Candor7 offers a map of known U.S. distribution
Post #36 by FReeper Chicory offers numerous photos and close up of various stages of the giant Hogweed as shown by Washington County, in the State of Washigton.

The sap from the giant hogweed deposits topically on exposed skin, and then is exacerbated by exposure to sunlight,
thus causing a burning sensation, and skin tissue then becomes destroyed.
Generally, it is found in the area of marshlands, as well as in drainage ditches alongside of secondary highways, as well as on the edges of pasture land.

If found, and you are unable to eradicate it yourself, notify your local Department of Transportation, or your respective State Dept. of Conservation with the exact location.
Please note the toxicity of the plant can lead to severe burns and possible tissue damage after exposure to sunlight.

57 posted on 04/15/2021 6:54:37 AM PDT by Tilted Irish Kilt
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To: nickcarraway
The giant hogweed is native to the Caucasus, but was introduced to Britain as an ornamental plant in 1817, and its spread has now got out of control.

George the filth Soros will be importing more now that he knows the pain it causes...

58 posted on 04/15/2021 7:10:54 AM PDT by GOPJ (We need a better class of 'elites' - the ones we have now are more like stupid white trash...)
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To: GOPJ
The giant hogweed is native to the Caucasus, but was introduced to Britain as an ornamental plant in 1817, and its spread has now got out of control.

Russia, Russia, Russia!

59 posted on 04/15/2021 7:11:31 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: a fool in paradise

A black and white horror film about killer plants that move. It might be on youtube.


60 posted on 04/15/2021 7:14:08 AM PDT by TheWriterTX (Trust not in earthly princes....)
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