Giant hogweed injures 17 hikers – five have to go to hospital

Giant hogweed injures 17 hikers – five have to go to hospital


Referreport

A poisonous plant caused a major medical operation at the so-called Mammoth March at the end of July, which started in Essen. The fire department was first informed in the early afternoon, and then reports of discomfort and skin burns among participants in the 100-kilometer distance march gradually increased, said a fire department spokesman.

Numerous ambulances were deployed. The fire department reported 17 injured people, five of whom had to be taken to hospital.

The cause was the hikers’ contact with the plant called giant hogweed, said the spokesman. The plant secretes a liquid that reacts with sunlight – and, if touched, causes skin irritation and burns on arms or legs. “Other hikers have reported nausea.”

What makes hogweed so dangerous

The problem with this impressive plant is that it contains the poison furocoumarin. It is found primarily in the sap. When exposed to UV rays, the toxins are activated and can cause severe burns in people. Redness or irritation of the skin, fever, sweating or circulatory shock are all signs of contact with giant hogweed.

The burns can be third degree, which means that there is no chance of recovery without a skin transplant. The reaction can occur as early as 15 minutes after contact. According to the Coordination Office for Invasive Neophytes in Protected Areas in Saxony-Anhalt, the time of maximum danger is between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

Where does giant hogweed come from?

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), also known as Hercules perennial, is an invasive plant and originally comes from the Caucasus. It is now widespread in Europe and is displacing native species due to its rapid growth.

How do you recognize giant hogweed?

The plant can grow up to four meters tall and has large, feathery leaves and a thick, hollow stem with red spots. The white flowers are arranged in umbels that can reach up to 50 centimeters in diameter.

The flower of the giant hogweed. (Photo: Frank Molter/dpa)

Where does giant hogweed grow?

Loud Website of NABU Baden-Württemberg Giant hogweed likes to grow in damp locations – often on river banks, forest edges and roadsides.

What should you do after contact with the plant?

Get out of the sun immediately to minimize the phototoxic reaction. Then keep the affected areas out of the sun for at least 48 hours and apply sunscreen for the following months. Wash the affected areas of skin thoroughly with soap and water to remove the plant sap from the skin. Cooling: Cold compresses or ice packs relieve pain and swelling. Seek medical help: A visit to the doctor is strongly recommended, especially in the case of severe reactions.

Source: German