Blood poisoning and blackthorn

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Cheryl

I don't know about Blackthorn Kayleigh but when I'm out walking with my children I always tell then to mind the gorse - I seem to recall news reports of peoples' adverse effects to gorse scratches.

Hello cheryl Yes I go along with that too about gorse, and find gorse is at its worse when it has died off gone brown, thats when my dogs seem to pick it up in their paws sheila

[Geoff F]

Deep wounds from Blackthorn turning septic is well known amongst farmers and other hedge cutters. It happens less now due to the use of tractor powered flail cutting. But that does make such a mess of the hedge.

I think the problem is partly caused by the greenish slime that can cover some blackthorns. Just be careful when pruning and don't panic; but if you do get a painful wound that won't heal quickly get a medically qualified opinion.

[Crowman]

You don't get 'Deep' wounds from Blackthorn.

19 Months later?

Wise up people, as I said before I come into contact with it all the time.

No problem

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Crowman

You don't get 'Deep' wounds from Blackthorn.

19 Months later?

Wise up people, as I said before I come into contact with it all the time.

No problem

Hello crowman As you are working with blackthorn all the time you must wear work safety boots and gloves thank yourself lucky that you havent had a thorn go in your foot very deep , a child of 8 has very soft skin the thorn goes in very quickly , and you can do nothing but wait for it to work its way out usually by that time (19 months later in my sons case ) it was very messy and infected . sheila

[Kayleigh]

Hi shei111,It is an awful thing to happen to your child. You are talking from experience. This is why I run this thread to make people aware of the hidden dangers. You just have to be careful where this and other spiky plants are especially where children are concerned.

It does seem a long time to leave a child with an infected foot. I don't have very much confidence in Dr's at the moment. You follow their advice sometimes you wonder if it is the right thing to do.


I should think a blackthorn could go in deep some are quite long. Depending on the circumstances, and infection can come about. You just have to careful.
I am not scaremongering just making people aware of the potential risks.

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Hi shei111,It is an awful thing to happen to your child. You are talking from experience. This is why I run this thread to make people aware of the hidden dangers. You just have to be careful where this and other spiky plants are especially where children are concerned.

It does seem a long time to leave a child with an infected foot. I don't have very much confidence in Dr's at the moment. You follow their advice sometimes you wonder if it is the right thing to do.


I should think a blackthorn could go in deep some are quite long. Depending on the circumstances, and infection can come about. You just have to careful.
I am not scaremongering just making people aware of the potential risks.

Hello kayleigh No it didnt get infected straight away I took him to the Drs 1 day after it went in because everytime his shoe rubbed on his foot hit hurt him, it was in deep because you coudnt see anything from looking directly at it, but as time passed it was getting very painful and as it rose to the surface so did all the mess that goes with it , I suppose it had to work its way out one way or the other the relief came as soon as it broke the skin. sheila

[ChrisJB]

I've never heard of this before. When I go gathering sloes I always get cut to ribbons, but I've never had any ill after effects.

Regards, Chris

[nightshade]

Not had any ill effects from Blackthorn ,a Rose thorn had me in hospital with enlarged glands in throat and groin.
Keep up the anti tetanus etc.speak to your GP if in any doubt

[witham]

We have Blackthorn amongst our Hawthorn and I often get pricked when were doing jobs around the field mending the sheep fence etc, they perhaps want to deter people from pinching the Sloes to make gin, or even worse in todays strange climate in case someone sues the landowner if they get traumatised from being 'wounded' by said bush/tree, I've read of people making daft claims for far less.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Blackthorn scratches and punctures will almost always turn septic, but not to any very serious extent. When I used to go hedge-laying, you always had red spotty hands and the odd eruption where you got Blackthorned. It isn't really serious, but as it does go deep a tetanus jab is a good idea if you are not up to date.

i get blackthorned all the time at work in the scrub bashing season , and i agree scratches and splinters go septic - i one had one in the top part of my ear which inflated , turned red then burst spraying out about an egg cup full of greeny yellow pus (apologies to anyone who was eating when they read that )

so i think its fair to say that there is a blood poisioning risk - that said beyond going septic they dont tend to cause any long lasting effect (my ear is fine now) so i wouldnt panic if you already have blackthorn in your garden - just be sure to remove thorns and disinfect the puncture wound or scratch with an antiseptic wipe