Warning to parents about Wild Parsnip!

[Bengals_Mama]

My daughter has this. She had a spot on her arm swell up the size of a golfball, and it was red. Her doctor didn't seem to know for sure what caused it, but thought it was a reaction to a moquito bite. He put her on antibiotics, and she healed up within a week. Well, this week she now has 2 spots on her leg. They were very red at first, then started to swell like a little balloon. The blisters got to the size of a nickel, then busted. Her grandpa ( who is an old farmer) told me they were Parsnip burns. He said he gets them too when he has come in contact with the weed. I am so glad I found this information, because it had me very worried at first not knowing what it was! I found this article online, and thought I would pass it along to you. Your doctors need to know what this is, because this weed is becomig more & more common in our area. It's not an immune system problem like Poison Ivy, it is triggered by a reaction to sunlight. Please pass this along!


http://www.wnrmag.com/stories/1999/jun99/parsnip.htm

[farmgirl]

Although it's been 20 years since I 'met' this plant, it leaves a lasting impression. I sat on a creek bank fishing & got this stuff on the back of my legs. People thought I was crazy when I told them those blisters came from wild parsnip.

[Maxwells]

Thank You Bengals_Mama.. I will pass this to my neices.

[anb_swrk]

I actually came in contact with a young lady who had it this summer. She went to the doctor and they had no idea what it was... her grandmother told her that was what it was.... everyone was a little hesitant due to not ever hearing of it, but that is definitely what it was now that I see your post! Her poor legs looked awful . . . Thanks for getting the info out.

[Bengals_Mama]

You're welcome, just keep spreading the word. I faxed a copy of the article to her doctors too, that way they will know now. I am still trying to find it in my yard, it seems like it's hard to spot when there's no flowers on them. They look a lot like Queen Anne's Lace, and are in the same family. From what I've read on Queen Anne's Lace though it doesn't cause that type of reaction. The Wild Parsnip can have white flowers too, but the plant still looks the same as the yellow ones. It's not supposed to be as bad if you keep your lawn mowed, when it's in full bloom is when it's the worst.

Her blisters didn't look like the ones in the photo though, they were more of a big red spot with a huge balloon-like blister. It's popped now, and it's trying to heal. I have been keeping antibiotic ointment & Neosporin on it. I'm trying to let it dry out today with no medicine, but might put more on it tonight. Just try to stay out of the sun even after you get these blisters. They aren't sure yet how long you should stay out of the sunlight afterwards, so just do it to be on the safe side.

[kcredden]

I'll definately spread the word. I never heard of it, but there's many plants that are dangerious and no one hears about. This is one less now :)

- Kc

[Bengals_Mama]

Once again my daughter has come into contact with this nasty weed. I've also read that Queen Anne's Lace can cause these burns too. Some people refer to it as Cow Parsnip, but according to the websites I've read they are two totally different plants. I will post a photo of one of my daughter's blisters here in a sec, in my photos.

There's 2 kind of weeds you need to definitely avoid. 1.Wild Parsnip & 2. Queen Anne's Lace. Some people think these plants cause an allergic reaction just like Poison Ivy, but that's not true. When you get the oil from these plants on your skin, and then it's exposed to sunlight it causes a sunburn type reaction that can cause SEVERE burns & blisters. The plant itself is not always a problem when left alone, but when it has been damaged the oil leaks out. That's why you will usually get reactions after mowing or weed eating. The Wild Parsnip can mostly be found along fence lines, and in fields. The Queen Anne's Lace is EVERYWHERE out here in the country, but it's not believed to be as harmful as the Parsnip. I posted a photo of one of Tehya's blisters, and some photos of these 2 plants. Avoid them at all costs, and never let your children be exposed to them. Children get the worst reactions it seems. If you do come in contact with a plant immediately go indoors & wash the area with soapy water. Make sure you wash your clothing also. If you get the blisters, which start out as a dark red or purplish spot avoid sunlight on those areas. If a blister forms use antibiotic ointment & keep the area clean. I would suggest using a bandaid over the blister until it is almost healed. DO NOT BUST THE BLISTER! Let it bust on it's own, which may take a week or two. The blister is nature's way of healing itself, like a bandaid. If it does bust, try to put the blister top back into place. These spots may stay red or purple for a while, up to a couple of years. If you have any other questions Google both plants, or ask me. Queen Anne's Lace is often confused with Cow's Parsnip... they are not the same plant.

[glenda]

I have known about the burn of the plant.got it a lot when i was a kid

[patches-4]

Here is one picture of cow parsnip plant in bloom.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smilin/250151271/
And one of the leaves.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86953562@N00/503911354/
Don't know that I've ever seen this plant before.
This is another one close to the ground before the stalk and flower form.
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm/files/images/20060403wildparsnip_0.jpg

[Bengals_Mama]

I'm not sure if the Cow Parsnip even grows in our area, but I have read some webpages that say it does. Although, some of them may have it confused with the Queen Anne's Lace. It must grow a lot in Alaska because a lot of the pages I've visitied were from there.

[patches-4]

This one really looks like Queen Anne's Lace.http://www.flickr.com/photos/henkimaa/240149902/

[maysvillebulldog]

Thanks for the info Bengals_Mama. Do you know if it is always a large blister?

[Bengals_Mama]

They aren't always big blisters, my son's reaction was more of mosquito type welts, and they went away the next day. On light skinned people you will most definitely notice the reddish/purple areas, and they do not always blister.