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Bougainvillea scratch - is it dangerous?

167

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:18

The cat got out, I chased it, grabbed it by it's bum and got myself tangled in the bougainvillea bush. I have a nice big, red scratch down the side of my face and it's very sore. Plus, I'm starting to feel sick. A friend tells me it's a poisonous plant. Do I need to go and get a tetanus shot? Or am I just being melodramatic?

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1340

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 21:15

The cat got out, I chased it, grabbed it by it's bum and got myself tangled in the bougainvillea bush. I have a nice big, red scratch down the side of my face and it's very sore. Plus, I'm starting to feel sick. A friend tells me it's a poisonous plant. Do I need to go and get a tetanus shot? Or am I just being melodramatic? Even if it were poisonous, a tetanus shot would do no good. Tetanus is a very (and mercifully rare these days) infective agent, most usually carried in horse manure or soil treated with the same. Bouganvillea is not poisonous per se but it is an irritant. Hydrogen Peroxide on the scratch and a large gin should sort out all symptoms.

425

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 21:04

Really, don't panic, it's ok. It's a reaction. Just get it fixed asap. And for tetanos, don't panic neither. You will have it now and it will be fine.

425

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 21:02

Noooo....that's OK....don't panic....it's nice to be elephant man, it changes a little bit from your regular ice face and will make people appreciate it even more... ;) If it goes that bad, I'll call a doc. NOW ! Definitely, you have a strong reaction, no need to stay in pain for the whole night ! you can call something like 800 doctors, and a GP will come to your house. Or go to emergency....

167

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:57

PANIC!

596

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:56

Think you better go to the doctor tonight if you are swelling to be safe but do not panic please. Thanks Ladies. It's starting to go lumpy now and my eye is swelling. Great! I did wash it with antiseptic when i did it and smeared Fucicort cream all over it. It wouldn't be so bad if it was somewhere else - but it's on my face. I'm going to wake up in the morning and I'll be like the Elephant Man won't I?

1238

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:56

My DS has a scar where he got scratched by a bouganvillea. Those things are pretty vicious.

167

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:54

Thanks Ladies. It's starting to go lumpy now and my eye is swelling. Great! I did wash it with antiseptic when i did it and smeared Fucicort cream all over it. It wouldn't be so bad if it was somewhere else - but it's on my face. I'm going to wake up in the morning and I'll be like the Elephant Man won't I? The last time I had a tetanus jab was when Snoopy the savage Alsation bit me - circa 1973... put it like this, I remember being at the A and E in my Bay City Rollers trousers... <em>edited by Luddite on 02/04/2011</em>

596

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:41

Check your medical records and if your tetanus is not current do along to the doctors and have it updated. Do not panic ! The cat got out, I chased it, grabbed it by it's bum and got myself tangled in the bougainvillea bush. I have a nice big, red scratch down the side of my face and it's very sore. Plus, I'm starting to feel sick. A friend tells me it's a poisonous plant. Do I need to go and get a tetanus shot? Or am I just being melodramatic?

1257

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:37

As Far as I know, Bougainvillea is NOT poisonous. Here what I found : "Is Bougainvillea Plant Poisonous? Bougainvillea is not considered as a toxic plant for humans or pets. However, the thorns or the waxy sap of the plant can cause minor skin irritation in some individuals. Such skin irritation can occasionally manifest in skin rash as well. So, properly wash the areas of the skin that come in contact with the thorns and the sap of the plant. If the skin rash or irritation looks a bit alarming, then contact your health care provider." from : http://www.buzzle.com/articles/bougainvillea-plant.html Also, from the moment you have a scratch from a plant/anything in the garden, and it becomes read "around", that means it's infected (not big deal, but need to be taken care of). I would disinfect with betadine and keep it "under observation". Fair enough. :) But just did a google of my own and I think it depends which website you consult as to how 'dangerous' bougainvillea can be. I found a few with some pretty hair-raising tales of people's scratches [and the aftermath!'> and still others which described it as mildly to moderately toxic depending on the person being scratched! :D Ah well. Guess we'll never know! :)

425

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:30

As Far as I know, Bougainvillea is NOT poisonous. Here what I found : "Is Bougainvillea Plant Poisonous? Bougainvillea is not considered as a toxic plant for humans or pets. However, the thorns or the waxy sap of the plant can cause minor skin irritation in some individuals. Such skin irritation can occasionally manifest in skin rash as well. So, properly wash the areas of the skin that come in contact with the thorns and the sap of the plant. If the skin rash or irritation looks a bit alarming, then contact your health care provider." from : http://www.buzzle.com/articles/bougainvillea-plant.html Also, from the moment you have a scratch from a plant/anything in the garden, and it becomes read "around", that means it's infected (not big deal, but need to be taken care of). I would disinfect with betadine and keep it "under observation".

1257

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:26

Nah, have been scratched by bouganvillea heaps of times and still here to tell the tale. That's [i'>you[/i'> though [no offence'>. Some people do get nasty reactions to it, and have ended up hospitalised because of infection, so it's better to be safe than sorry, especially if the OP is experiencing discomfort and not feeling well. That's my advice anyway. :)

1257

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:24

Well ... it's not going to kill you, but the sap IS toxic/poisonous. You may need a course of drugs to sort you out, so make an appointment with your GP. Unless you are feeling really sick, I should think you will last out the night though. ;) You'll probably be put onto anti-inflammatories and antibiotics [for potential infection'>; I'd pop a Brufen or similar now if you have some in the house. :) They can be very uncomfortable though and if you are already stiff/sore, you'll need medical care. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

GirlAnachronism35688

1039

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:23

http://www.gardenguides.com/105330-bougainvillea-toxicity.html Toxicity The waxlike substance on bougainvillea spines is toxic and causes skin irritation when touched. This skin rash is known as contact dermatitis. Bougainvillea is not considered a toxic plant to ingest. It is listed by the University of Iowa Hospital as nontoxic. The skin rash is a potential irritant to pets as well as children and adults. Symptoms Symptoms of bougainvillea toxicity are a skin inflammation and rash on the body parts that were scratched by bougainvillea thorns. The rash is itchy, confined to a particular area and has clearly defined edges. The rash may develop within a few minutes if scratches are extensive or deep. Itching can be severe, and the rash may develop small red bumps or blisters. Treatment Treatment for bougainvillea toxicity is the same as in all cases of contact dermatitis. Wash the area that has come into contact with the thorns. Use mild soap and water to remove the remaining toxic substance from the skin. If the rash is severe, use a wet gauze bandage as a covering. Change this frequently so gauze remains cool to the touch. The rash and redness usually heal within one week if there is no more exposure to the toxic thorns.

Freckles 128127

787

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:22

pretty sure its not poisonous but the thorn itself may have anything on it..manure, rat pee etc... did you put antiseptic on it?

298

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:21

No, bouganvillia is not poisonous as far as I know. Growing up we had a yard full of it and the neighbourhood kids and I were always covered in scratches. Perhaps if you are feeling unwell, an antihistamine like Phenergan might help? Will also put you at ease a little.

304

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 20:21

Nah, have been scratched by bouganvillea heaps of times and still here to tell the tale.

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