This is not the first time there has been a warning about hogweed on Facebook.

Almost every year we receive inquiries about a plant that is classified as highly dangerous and highly toxic. There are also photos of extremities covered in blisters.

But is what is described in these warnings really true? Is there a plant called hogweed that causes such injuries?

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Image in plain text:

Another child just ran in...
Bear Claw - please share!! Most people don't really know it or even leave it in the garden because of the beautiful large flowers!! Highly toxic!! Highly dangerous!! Spread everywhere here.. unfortunately it grows meters high on many of our vacant properties and spreads rapidly along the entire Sieg... Report its occurrence to the municipality and DO NOT TOUCH IT.

[vc_message message_box_color=”green” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-check”]Yes. The giant hogweed, also known as Hercules, exists and is also poisonous .[/mk_info]

The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation writes the following about hogweed:

… The greatest concern is its phototoxic effect, which makes it a threat to human health. …

The plant, like other native umbelliferous plants, is the cause of “bullous meadow dermatitis” . The whole plant, especially the juice, contains phototoxic furanocoumarins. When touched or exposed to sunlight, severe skin inflammation with severe blistering can develop after 24-48 hours. The skin changes resemble third-degree burns and occasionally lead to hospital stays lasting several weeks. They heal slowly and leave behind scar-like, line-shaped hyperpigmentation.

Workers in agriculture, forestry or horticulture, for example those working to control plants, or hobby gardeners are particularly at risk. The plant sap can reach the skin even without direct contact with the plant, for example if it is sprayed by a lawnmower. Even clothing does not provide complete protection. Children are also often affected because they use the strong, hollow stems as blowpipes or telescopes when playing.

Complete protective clothing must be worn when working in hogweed stands! If plant sap comes into contact with the skin, rinse immediately with plenty of water. If symptoms become more severe, see a doctor or hospital.

In the event of acute symptoms, the information center against poisoning at the University of Bonn provides advice: 0227/19240, 0228/287 3314 ( information center )
Source: Federal Agency for Nature Conservation

However, the photos and some of the information in the article are not brand new. Back in 2015, this post was shared on Facebook in a slightly different form, but with the same photos. One of the photos can also be found as images from a Wikipedia entry on the plant.

It cannot be confirmed whether “a child just ran into it again”, but “running into” this plant would actually cause serious injuries.

The leg shown definitely does not belong to a child who encountered hogweed in 2018. the photo credits , the photo was uploaded by Cosima Pferdeliebe on July 1st, 2017 and shows the skin reaction after contact with giant hogweed.

Result:

The giant hogweed or hercules is actually highly poisonous. Hands off!


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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )