Nettle is a flowering plant whose stems and leaves are densely covered with rather stinging hairs. There are forty-five different species in this genus that tend to prefer temperate climates. Often at
on a farmstead or in a forest, nettles are waiting for us as minor troubles. The burn from its leaves is familiar to almost every one of us. It is accompanied by a rather unpleasant sensation, which in some cases provokes severe allergic attacks.
Nettles, which can be very painful when burned, use their stinging hairs to protect themselves from herbivores. Most species of this plant have this ability. Each of the hairs in its structure resembles a large cell, similar to a medical ampoule. Its protruding tip contains silicon s alts. In contact with the plant, the sharp part of the “ampoule” breaks off. The tip penetrates under the upper layers of the skin, and its contents enter the human or animal body from the cell. The nettle juice contained in the "ampoule" contains formic acid, choline andhistamine. The impact of these substances on the skin and causes a sensation of a sharp burn.
How dangerous is this? As a rule, nettle leaves a burn, which is considered practically harmless. But at the same time, some types of plants can cause very painful sensations. Sometimes burns can be fatal. These types of plants are usually found in tropical forests.
If there is a nettle burn, it is treated independently. First of all, the area of contact with the plant should be cooled. This will take the pain away. To do this, ice can be applied to the burn site or moistened with plenty of cold water. In the event that relief has not come, it is recommended to apply Menovazin ointment or apple cider vinegar solution. With these means, the place where the nettle left the burn is processed. Unpleasant sensations can be eliminated with boron, camphor or salicylic alcohol solution. The nettle burn site can also be treated with anti-inflammatory ointments while taking the antihistamines Diazolin, Fenkarol, Suprastin or Tavegil. These actions will prevent the occurrence of an allergic reaction of the body.
With strong contact with the plant, a nettle burn (the photo of which you see above) may be accompanied by blisters. To eliminate them, it is necessary to make a lotion from a 100% solution of boric acid. You can apply a moist gruel of sorrel leaves to the affected skin.
The unpleasant burning sensation from contact with nettles is removed by the juice of common bracken. The burn is also eliminated with a paste made from ordinary baking soda and water. This tool is always available and quite effective. Blisters from aggressive nettle burns will disappear, and the pain will subside when a thin layer of ordinary clay is applied to the contact area.
