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Plant burns - first aid.

Nobody is safe from plant burns. This kind of burn can be obtained by walking through the thickets of grass in the bosom of nature or in a summer cottage. Although many of the plants have a defense mechanism that repels animals, not all substances released by the plant when it is touched or when any part of the plant is damaged is dangerous.

The most toxic properties are possessed by the plant "hogweed" (heracleum - Latin name). Unaware of the botanical description of the appearance of a plant, a person can take advantage of its burdock leaves and cause irreparable damage to health and their appearance.

A light touch of the leaves of the heracleum plant can cause an allergic reaction - photodermatosis (increased photosensitivity of the skin). But getting the sap of the plant on the skin is already a second-degree burn, which heals poorly and leaves behind a deep scar for life.

If hogweed juice gets on the surface of the skin (mucous membrane) as part of an emergency, it is necessary to urgently wash off the juice with cold water (ideally with a furacilin solution), without touching the affected tissues, and get away from direct sunlight. Since photodermatosis is an allergic reaction, it is necessary to take any antihistamine (diazolin, ketotefen, suprastin, tavegil, claritin) to reduce its intensity.

Bubbles formed at the site of the burn do not pierce. On the burnt place, you can apply Pantothenol foam until you see a doctor and cover it with loose clothing (not a tight bandage) from lighting. It is categorically impossible to wipe the burn site, lubricate the burn site with ointments, creams, alcohol, oils, fermented milk products. The wound will be treated by a traumatologist.

Ash is another dangerous plant, the sap of which causes burns that resemble chemical burns in depth. The alkaloids of this plant also provoke increased photosensitivity not only locally, but also of the whole body, therefore, having received such a burn, you should avoid being in direct sunlight. In case of burns with ash juice, you should consult a doctor. First aid consists in washing the burn site with running water and protecting it from solar radiation.

A number of plants have a less traumatic effect on the skin and mucous membranes, but they can cause superficial burns that will heal for several days. Such plants include nettle, poisonous buttercup, larkspur, celandine. Signs of a plant burn look like redness, tissue swelling, the appearance of small blisters, itching. First of all, the place of the burn must be washed off with running water without wiping (let it dry). For first aid, creams, ointments, foams with lidocaine are suitable. The burns are not covered with a plaster.