Boy, 6, suffers second degree burns after brushing past ‘UK’s most dangerous plant’ giant hogweed for an instant
A SCHOOLBOY who brushed past ‘the UK’s most dangerous plant’ was hospitalised with second degree burns.
Six-year-old Oliver Crozier scorched his arms and legs on giant hogweed while running through the bushes near his home.
His dad Scott, 40, thought the red marks were sunburn when he saw Oliver’s leg the next day, but then big blisters formed overnight.
Scott, from Clovenstone, Edinburgh, said: “The blisters caused me concern because he has never had anything like that before.
“He also had a blister on each wrist and one up on his inner thigh.
“All the small blisters kind of got bigger and started forming larger blisters.”
He took little Oliver to Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline where doctors treated his wounds and prescribed medication.
Scott said the hospital told him they were second degree burns and pictures of the gruesome blisters were sent to his GP.
Scott said: “They phoned saying they wanted him down to the surgery so they could pop the blisters and cut the flap of skin off as well.”
Two days after treatment an angry red gash remained and Scott said his son’s skin took two weeks to heal - but it can take even longer.
One mum from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, said she could still feel the burn even now after lifting her two-year-old son away from a giant hogweed in late April.
She said: “We were walking along the Bridgewater Canal and my son loves walking but he was tired and had a tantrum.
“When he does this he throws himself on the floor - unfortunately on top of a young giant hogweed plant.
GIANT HOGWEED - 'MOST DANGEROUS PLANT'
What is giant hogweed?
It is an infamously dangerous plant which is common near rivers and streams.
What does it look like?
The plant can tower up to 25ft tall, with long green stems with purple blotches and huge branches of small white flowers and green leaves.
What can it do to you?
It causes a red rash, often followed by severe blistering within 24 hours. The resulting burns can last for several months and can leave skin sensitive to sunlight for years.
What can help?
The NHS advises covering the affected area and washing it with soap and water. If you begin to feel unwell after contact with giant hogweed, speak to your doctor and stay out of direct sunlight.
How to get rid of giant hogweed
The RHS advises wearing gloves, covering arms and legs, and wearing a face mask. Also immediately wash any skin that comes into contact with the plant and be wary of contaminated clothing and tools.
“I picked him up thrashing about still. It wasn’t until the next day that I noticed the odd burn patches on both myself and my son.
“At first I thought the sun cream had wiped off but then both the patches on myself and my son started to bubble.”
She added: “If I forget to cover my wrist when I’m outside I can feel the patches because they still start to burn.
“We keep my son’s arm covered even now because his skin is still discoloured.”
The 35-year-old, who asked not to be named, urged other parents to be on their guard.
She said: “Please don’t let your children go near it, and be vigilant - even a young plant can cause damage. And take baby wipes everywhere with you!”
Scott gave the same warning, saying: “Keep a watchful eye out if the kids are playing in long grass, wilderness or woodland. It’s surprising how common it is.”
The invasive plant is native to the Caucasus - which includes Armenia and Georgia - but was introduced to Britain as an ornamental plant in 1817 and its spread has now got out of control.
Its sap stops the skin protecting itself against sunlight, leading to nasty burns when the skin is exposed.
In the UK it is especially common to find the giant hogweed alongside rivers, which can transport the plant’s seeds.
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The hated weed has been sprouting across the UK, leaving kids with burns in north-west England, the West Midlands, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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Mike Duddy, of the Mersey Basin Rivers Trust, previously branded giant hogweed ‘Britain’s most dangerous plant’.
And the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) describes the plant as a “serious risk to people who are unaware of its potential harm”.