The invasion of Britain's deadliest plant
Giant hogweed is found in parks up and down the country and has left several children with horrific third degree burns in the last fortnight - so where has it come from? And how should we treat our children if they come into contact with Britain’s most dangerous plant?
Dr Dawn is here with the country’s leading expert in giant hogweed, Mike Duddy, and we speak to Lauren Fuller and her mum Charlotte, after Lauren unknowingly sheltered from the rain under giant hogweed.
Lauren said, “I was out with my dad fishing, and it was raining and I was underneath a big bush… it didn’t burn straight away. I woke up Monday morning and my hands were just pure red.”
On her daughter's’ future, Charlotte said, “They have said she should make a full recovery and shouldn’t have any scarring... but obviously it’ll take a long time to heal. She’ll need constant sunblock.”
Dr Dawn Harper offered her advice, “It’s a very toxic sap and it seems to react with sunlight, so if you think that you’ve been exposed the first thing you should do it wash thoroughly with soap and water, and stay out of the sun light as that’s what seems to activate the sap and make these awful burns… it’s really toxic stuff. If it’s still getting worse and red then A&E.”