Gardener left with 'very painful' blisters after touching 'harmless' plant

18 August 2023 , 20:46

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Robyn, 28, was dealing with a supposedly 'harmless' plant. (Image: Credit: Robyn Hankins via Pen News)

A gardener who was undergoing routine work with a normal plant received a nasty surprise when she was left with “painful blisters” on her arm.

Robyn Hankins came in touch with the sap of a common hogweed - otherwise known as cow parsnip - which is generally considered to be harmless.

Robyn - who runs the Nature Nurturers gardening service - was working in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, where common hogweed is a native species. The wildflower does have a viscous relative known as the giant hogweed - sometimes dubbed the “most dangerous plant in Britain”.

While common hogweed is generally seen as harmless, it still contains some of the same phytophototoxic compounds. When in contact with the skin, these compounds can leave your body unable to defend itself from the sun, causing severe burning.

Robyn, 28, was “unaware” the sap had touched her skin, and had been wearing long sleeves and gloves. There was no sign of anything amiss until the next morning, when she woke up with burns on her arms and hand - which got progressively worse. “It was only a small affected area, though once the burn marks appeared it was very painful,” she said.

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Robyn had to seek medical help for the nasty blisters (Credit: Robyn Hankins via Pen News)

Common hogweed is widely seen across the UK (Credit: Thibault Lefort/Pen News)

The sap is particularly dangerous as there is no immediate sign you have been in contact - as in Robyn’s case. Those who come into contact will willingly remain in the sun with no clue of the damage being done to their skin.

Robyn was forced to seek medical help. She said: "I first spoke to a pharmacist who suggested hydrocortisone cream, I then sought out a doctor on day four as it was not improving.

"The doctor asked for help from a nurse, who drained the largest blister to relieve some pain and covered the wound. However she left the two smaller blisters untreated. She had never heard of hogweed or that it was dangerous."

Wimborne Minster resident Robyn is still seeing a doctor, and has to “keep the injuries covered when outdoors” because her skin “may continue to react to sunlight”. She warns that all who come into contact with the plant must stay wary.

She said: "Even if you think you are being careful it can still get on your skin. I had long sleeves and gloves due to its nature and it still got on me. So remove clothing and wash after dealing with it regardless of whether you think it is on you or not."

Common hogweed is widespread across the UK and Ireland, according to the charity Plantlife. Most consider it harmless and even use it for cooking - a Countryfile profile of the plant reported that it is "not dangerous to humans".

Alex Croft