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Obnoxious Plants
Cactus Thorns
Scenario:
Rounding a turn on Poison Spider mesa, your front tire digs into the sand and the bike
dumps sideways. Your arm bangs against a cactus, which imbeds a gazillion tiny thorns in
your arm.
Description:
Big cactus thorns can break off after they penetrate your skin. If, after being poked by a
cactus, you feel like there's something under the skin, you probably have a broken thorn.
Unless you can see the broken end, you'll need a doctor to cut it out.
Other cactuses leave multiple tiny thorns. These thorns come off the cactus easily.
They're so tiny, it's hard to get them out.
Concerns:
Thorns that remain in (or under) the skin will cause infection.
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Immediate care:
You can usually grab the end of a big thorn with needle-nose pliers. Splinter forceps
(tiny sharp tweezers) are ideal, but of course, you didn't spend $4 to buy one.If there
are multiple small thorns in a fairly small area, try removing them with glue. Spread a
generous coating of patch glue over the entire area. Wait until it dries, then peel it
off. It will usually pull the thorns (and your body hairs) out as it comes away from the
skin. |
See the doctor if:
You have any reason to think that pieces of cactus are still in or under your skin.
Watch for:
See the doctor if there is increasingly painful red swelling, red streaks, drainage,
fever, tender bumps in the groin or armpit upsteam from the wound, or an unexplained
increase in pain or tenderness. See section on infection.
Poison Ivy
Scenario:
"Leaves of three, let it be." Right. As if we're going to see the poison
ivy before our leg hits it at 10 m.p.h.
Description:
Poison ivy is a low bush, usually about 18 inches high. Leaves are three to a stem, are
rounded but come to a point at the end. Poison ivy causes no immediate reaction. It isn't
really poisonous. Instead, your reaction to poison ivy is an allergy to the oil on the
surface of the leaves. 97% of people exposed to poison ivy will react. It's a delayed
cell-mediated hypersensitivity caused by your immune cells. |
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The first time you're exposed to poison ivy, it takes 10-14 days to break
out. After that, it takes only 3-5 days. Typically itchy red bumps appear, then tiny
blisters develop in groups on the bumps. Usually, the rash forms "streaks" where
the plant brushed against you. The rash can persist for a week or so. |
Immediate care:
If you realize you've been exposed to poison ivy, try to wash the oil off your skin. Scrub
well with soap and water, using a washcloth or sponge. If you don't have soap but have some chain degreaser, use that
as liquid "soap" while washing in the mountain stream. If you have baby diaper
wipes (or hand towelettes) at the car, use those. You need something that helps dissolve
oil. |
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Ongoing care:
If a rash develops, rub hydrocortisone 1% cream into the rash. Reapply hydrocortisone
three times daily. |
| For severe reactions, you can "drive the medicine into the skin"
with a dressing. Apply extra hydrocortisone over the rash, then cover it with a dressing.
If the reaction is particularly severe, you may need to see the doctor for steroid pills
(such as prednisone or Medrol). |
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An antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (sample brand Benadryl) can help
with the itching. An adult can use 50 mg (2 over-the-counter caps) every four hours. |
Watch for:
See the doctor if there is increasingly painful red swelling, red streaks, drainage,
fever, tender bumps in the groin or armpit upsteam from the rash, or an unexplained
increase in pain or tenderness. See section on infection.
Stinging Nettle
Scenario:
You're riding the Timpanogos Perimeter Trail. As you near Grove Creek Canyon, you're hit
on the legs by clump after clump of stinging nettle.
Description:
Stinging nettle looks a lot like catnip, but with longer leaves. There's a green central
stalk about 3/8 inch in diameter, with leaves radiating out from the stalk. There are
often tiny blooms on the top. The hairs on the leaves cause an immediate sting, which can
last an hour or two.
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Immediate care:
Scrub the area well with soap and water. Baby diaper wipes or hand towelettes also work.
If you have an insect sting relief pad, use it on the area -- it works like a miracle! |
Ongoing care:
The reaction usually ends spontaneously after an hour. Delayed reaction is rare.
[First Aid Index Page]
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