Pricked by a Bougainvillea

By

schlubadub

What nonsense answers! Bougainvillea isn't poisonous. I prune my bougainvillea back all the time and I always end up getting stabbed a few times by the thorns and get big cuts on my forearms with no adverse effects.

I actually pruned my bougainvilleas today and I have: 3 stabbed fingers, a puncture wound in my palm, a stabbed foot, and no less than 30 cuts on my forearms (some bled quite a lot at the time, the longest cut is almost 10cm). They are red at the moment, but that is normal for fresh cuts. I washed all the wounds and I am not concerned about them. I am more worried about my sunburn.

I would suggest that people having a weird reaction have some sort of allergy either to the plant, or to pesticides / insecticides they may have sprayed on the plant. It is also possible part of the thorn is still in your skin, which would explain the swelling, but it should be pushed out naturally by your body. If the swelling gets too big, it could be an infection which would require a visit to the local doctor and some antibiotics.

By

DAVANGLA

Hi, I was pricked after stepping on a bougainvillea thorn (1 1/2" long)It went straight through my Crocs! It's been 8 days now and I can barely walk. It seems to get better then worsen. I've been taking antibiotics for the last 5 days and ibuprofen. Is there an antidote for this plant's poison?
David (adult male, Adelaide)

By

braendle

I got pricked by a baugainvillas (quite frequently) did not think much of it. However I have pretty nasty sideeffects, sometimes one side of my face becomes red and travels to the other side and starts swelling up. I was not aware of being toxic. From now on I'm using Benadryl which takes care of it within apprx, 4 to 5 days as well as the fever symptoms.

By

tdubya

I was stuck deep into my index finger knuckle with one the other day it's red, stiff and soar, been almost a week now, I can bend it but it's soar and the site is red. I'm gonna soak it right now and get the doctor to look at it Monday.

By simone (Guest Post)

I got pricked by a bougainvillea thorn a month ago and it still hurts. I saw a doctor and I took pain killer but it still hurts. Then my sister stepped on one. There is some type of curse upon us!

By jessica (Guest Post)

Can I ask where all these people are who were pricked? I'm in Queensland, Australia. Just wondering if maybe we don't have a poisonous bougainvillea here? I got a thorn in my foot yesterday, and it's sore to walk on now, but no swelling, fever etc. Hoping it won't get worse. :)

By Cindy (Guest Post)

I stepped on a bougainvillea thorn 5 weeks ago - was on a dried branch that had been clipped. It pierced quite deep but didnt think much- 5 weeks later was still a big ball under the skin and was sore. Went to the foot doctor and had surgery immediately (very painful and very expensive- they cut out a piece of my foot and now am in excrutiating pain and unable to walk- will take 5-6 weeks to heal). It was extrememly infected- combination of the toxic thorn (yes, they are toxic) and the deep puncture. It is very very dangerous not to treat a wound from a bougainvillea... take it very seriously.... (I was told left untreated it could potentially spread the infection thru your body causing sepsis or staph infection-leading to death)

By Sharon (Guest Post)

My husband was pricked by one of them; he became very ill and ended up in the hospital with MRSA; he had a huge hunk of his leg cut out. After about 6 months, he's finally healed.

By TERRI (Guest Post)

I was stuck in the joint of my thumb by my bougainvilla yesterday while trying to take it from in the ground to a pot. It was painful immediately by nightfall, it was swollen and very sore. Today, it is red and stiff and very sore. I had no idea those thorns were poisonous, scary.

By Lisa D (Guest Post)

I stepped on a bougainvillea plant and got an painful infected swelling on my foot. The next day I had fever and chills (and I am an adult!) I didn't see a doctor and was fine the following day, but plan to be more careful around the plant from now on.

By

Naturegrl77

# The juice or sap of these plants contains oxalate crystals. These needle-shaped crystals can irritate the skin, mouth, tongue, and throat, resulting in throat swelling, breathing difficulties, burning pain, and stomach upset. Call the Poison Control Center or your doctor if any of these symptoms appear following ingestion of plants.
# Dermatitis: The juice, sap, or thorns of these plants may cause a skin rash or irritation. Wash the affected area of skin with soap and water as soon as possible after contact. The rashes may be very serious and painful. Call the Poison Control Center or your doctor if symptoms appear following contact with the plants.

**Taken from http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/ce/king/poisplant/tox-com.htm

By Stacey (Guest Post)

I'm not sure, but I was pricked by the same plant's thorn and now it is stiff and sensative (It hurts to walk on my foot because of the prick). I wonder if the thorn has poison or some other fluid within.

By Meg. (Guest Post)

My two yr old stepped on a bougainvillea and the next day he ran a fever of 101 all day? Anyone heard of that before? No one else is sick and his molars already came in just wondered if it was the plant or if thats possible.

By Dan (Guest Post)

My father stepped on one of these about 3 months ago and he still has troubles walking on it, It wakes him up through the night and hes even on antibiotics for it. Anyone who even thinks they have been pricked by one of these should see a doctor.

By sharon (Guest Post)

Can anyone give me an update on the lady in the hospital with the infection from the bougainvillea? I was stuck with the thorn today, and my finger is very sore.

By kp (Guest Post)

my mom is in the hospital on antibotic IV in an effort to get infection under control from a week old scratch by a bougainvillea thorn...we are scared

By margie austin, (Guest Post)

I pricked my thumb on a bouganvilla plant. In a day or two my thumb was swollen red and very much in pain. Soaking it in salt water has helped a little but I need to see a doctor today.

By

officer

has anyone heard of a thorn free bougainvillea..

By mike (Guest Post)

has anyone have a picture of this plant please respond

By Cheryl (Guest Post)

You may want to get that checked by your doctor. It could be an infection that needs antibiotics

By

Kmcl59

Please go to a doctor NOW. I was bitten by a mosquito....and ended up in the hospital for a week.
Kmcl59
Pensacola, FL

By

Grandma Margie

Until you get to a doctor.........soak it in a solution of epsom salt and warm water. That should draw some of the poison out of it. Do you have a red swollen finger or are there red streaks running away from the initial sore area? If you have red streaks you need to get yourself to a doctor........NOW!

By

sandy63

i would say if you cant move your finger you need to go to the doctor NOW

By (Guest Post)

See a doctor right away! Any time you prick the skin you can get an infection.

By (Guest Post)

You most definitely need to get to a doctor!!