what's this? it causes blisters!

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by mammoth1981, Jul 14, 2013.

  1. mammoth1981

    mammoth1981 Apprentice Gardener

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    My friend has some of this in his garden and when he trimmed it back it leaked milky liquid on to his hands. The liquid gave him blisters and made his eye red and watery.

    I'm interested to know what it is, and how poisonous it might be. Anyone got any ideas?

    Cheers
     
    mammoth1981, Jul 14, 2013
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  2. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

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    Welcome to Gardeners Corner :sign0016:

    Spurge, nasty sap :yikes:
     
    Phil A, Jul 14, 2013
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  3. Jenny namaste

    Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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    Euphorbia I think. Yes, it can cause a nasty rash to someone with sensitive skin.
    Zigs can you help with the toxic side of this please?
    Jenny
     
    Jenny namaste, Jul 14, 2013
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  4. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

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    Only thing you can do is treat the symptoms with a salve.
     
    Phil A, Jul 14, 2013
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  5. mammoth1981

    mammoth1981 Apprentice Gardener

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    thanks for the help everyone :-)
     
    mammoth1981, Jul 15, 2013
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  6. Ellen

    Ellen Total Gardener

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    I think I might have some of this. It'll be removed (with care!)
     
    Ellen, Jul 15, 2013
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  7. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Euphorbias are an enormously varied genus and some are very toxic whilst others aren't so toxic. Any plants that leak sap should be treated with care.

    Rinsing the sap (latex) off the skin and from the eyes is the first thing to do. If you do get any in the eyes should should rush off to the A&E straight away. It's rare that the fumes irritate the eyes unless in a fairly enclosed space.

    A salve will ease the irritation on the skin and it will be gone in a few days.

    Don't forget that Poinsettia are the same family so be careful with them - although they are only a mild irritant.

    That reminds me that I've seen discussion on here in the past about growing oleander. If you do grow it then you should be aware that it's one of the most toxic plants on the planet! The whole of the plant is toxic and contains cardiac glycosides. I'd be inclined not to grow it if you have pets.

    Having said all that, if you take normal precautions you shouldn't have any trouble. :) More people end up in A&E for problems with thorns from roses than most other plants (sorry, woo) and you don't want to let them anywhere near your eyes :)
     
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      shiney, Jul 15, 2013
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    • Ellen

      Ellen Total Gardener

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      Mine is where my cat pushes past flowers to get to her shady spot, so I'll remove it just in case as don't want her to catch her eyes with it or try eating it!
       
      Ellen, Jul 15, 2013
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    • clueless1

      clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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      I think, just to further complicate things, that different people react in different ways to euphorbia sap.

      When I first learned how nasty it can be, I was quite worried because at the time there was a lot of it in my garden and I have a young son. I did a little test. I deliberately put a tiny blob of sap on my finger and waited to see what happened. Nothing. So After about 15 minutes, I rubbed a bit more all over my finger. Nothing at all happened. Yet my mate, who also had the same one in his garden (the weed kind), pulled it all up without knowing anything about it. As far as he was concerned he was just tidying his garden. I rang me up to ask why his hands and forearms were all sore and red and blistered after gardening.
       
      clueless1, Jul 15, 2013
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    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      Ellen, cats should be OK :blue thumb: They wouldn't dream of eating it! Unless it's one of the very brittle varieties it shouldn't be a problem either as cats are extremely good at gliding through plants. Dogs are the ones that barge through and trample things.
       
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        shiney, Jul 15, 2013
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      • Ellen

        Ellen Total Gardener

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        That's a relief and good to know! Thanks Shiney :)
         
        Ellen, Jul 15, 2013
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