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School’s warning after child, 4, suffers second-degree burns from ‘Britain’s most dangerous plant’
The plant has been known to grow in local parks across the region
A Bolton primary school has issued a warning after one of its pupils was left with horrific burns after coming into contact with ‘Britain’s most dangerous plant’.
The four-year-old girl was playing in Longsight Park in the Harwood area when she touched the toxic giant hogweed plant, resulting in severe blistering on her hand and fingers.
The child later required hospital treatment as a result of her injuries.
The incident has since prompted Hardy Mill Primary School to issue a warning to parents about the plant, saying in a statement: “One of our children has sadly been in contact with this plant over the half term break and ended up at the hospital with second degree burns.
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“Please look out for this plant in your garden and when out and about with your children.
“We have been informed that this plant is definitely growing in Longsight Park. It would be helpful to show your children what this plant looks like so they can avoid coming into contact with it.”
Giant hogweeds are recognisable for their long stems bearing large umbrellas of white flowers, and look completely harmless.
The weed has been known to grow up to 20ft tall, with each giant hogweed plant having the capacity to spread out to cover a range of around two metres, making it hard to avoid in green spaces.
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Despite its pleasing aesthetics, however, the plant harbours a toxin-bearing sap that causes horrendous blistering burns, even from gentle contact.
The effect of the sap is often not immediate, with blistering usually occurring within twenty-four to forty-eight hours after exposure.
The burns can last for several months and can leave the skin itchy, sore, and overly sensitive to UV light for many years.
And if the plant comes into contact with the eyes, it can cause sight issues and, in severe cases, partial blindness.