Third-degree burns following contact with Giant Hogweed
Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegassianum)shutterstock.com/jps
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Keeping pace with the media; Giant Hogweed burns — a case series and comprehensive review. Baker BG et al. Burns 2017;43:933-938
Abstract
Earlier this month, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that an incoming student preparing for his freshman year at Virginia Tech suffered third-degree burns to his face and arm after he came into contact with a Giant Hogweed plant (Heracleum mantegassianum).
“The top layer of skin on the left side of his face was basically gone and appeared to be like a really bad burn that had already peeled,” the victim’s brother told the paper. A photograph of the victim’s face is quite impressive. It can be seen by clicking here.
This recent article reviewed Giant Hogweed burns after a series of cases were reported in the United Kingdom. The authors note that although cases of phytophotodermatitis (plant-induced photosensitivity) usually appear in the dermatology literature, the resulting burns can be serious enough to require surgical intervention. They note that Giant Hogweed is a member of the family Apiaceae, which also encompasses carrots, celery and parsley. The plant can be as much as eleven-and-a-half feet tall.
Giant Hogweed contains furocoumarins including psoralen, a mutagen that, when activated by exposure to UV light, can cause serious burns by impairing DNA synthesis.
Important measures than can prevent this burns include av...
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Gussow Tags: Medical burn injury dermatitis dermatology Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegassianum phytophotodermatitis skin Source Type: news
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