Beware the giant hogweed this summer!

19th June 2018

Beware the giant hogweed this summer!

What may be self-diagnosed as an acute allergic reaction could be a result of the harmless looking, yet dangerous, giant hogweed plant. For people who come into contact with it, this plant can cause serious health problems. Unfortunately, the hot summer months are only likely to allow this weed to thrive in the UK.

As the summer firmly sets in, experts warn, do not touch this plant. More and more reports are reaching the news of unsuspecting individuals, particularly children, coming into contact with giant hogweed and experiencing a variety of painful allergy-like symptoms. When you are out enjoying nature this summer, you should be aware of what giant hogweed is, and the problems it causes. You don’t want to mistake them for an allergic reaction and seek the wrong medical treatment.

How to spot giant hogweed

The tricky thing with giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is that it can easily be mistaken for common hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), elderflower (Sambucus nigra), and wild carrot (Daucus carota). Despite this, there are ways to tell it apart. Giant hogweed is much larger than these native plants. It can grow up to 6 metres tall and sometimes spans around one metre. The flower heads often reach 60cm, and giant hogweed is distinct due to its purple-hued stem, spotted leaf stalks, and thin spines. If you see a plant that looks like this, avoid it.

Giant hogweed usually grows along riverbanks, verges, and footpaths. It has also been spotted in parks and cemeteries in the UK. But, originally, giant hogweed comes from central Asia. It’s classed as an invasive species, as it is non-native and can cause harm to other species and human health. It was brought here as a domesticated plant, but now it has escaped into the wild, it is causing menacing symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms resulting from contact with the sap of giant hogweed may appear very similar to an allergic reaction. The sap is phototoxic and can cause photodermatitis. This means skin becomes sensitive to sunlight, and exposure to the sun causes blisters and scarring. This scarring in extreme cases can last years. All it takes for the sap to make its mark is a simple touch or brush past the plant. The sap also causes severe burns and skin inflammation in less than 24 hours.

The relatively fast development of these symptoms may be what leads people to mistake them for an allergic reaction, especially if they are not aware of any contact with the damaging sap. In some of the worst cases, when sap comes into contact with the eyes, it can cause blindness. Blisters and rashes can become infected leading to more serious health issues. And, it is possible to have a genuine allergic reaction to giant hogweed.

If you are sure the symptoms you are experiencing are not due to giant hogweed, but you are still unsure of the cause, it is time to book an appointment with a specialist consultant. At London Allergy and Immunology Centre, we can test for over 100 different allergies at once to diagnose your symptoms and find the most effective treatments. Call us today on 02031 433 449.

Talk about a delayed reaction

23rd January 2018

Talk about a delayed reaction

When it comes to severe allergic reactions, most of us are familiar with the expression ‘anaphylactic shock’. But we don’t always fully understand the extent of its seriousness. Anaphylaxis is usually a sudden reaction after exposure to a variety of allergens. It can take the form of an itchy rash, swelling of either the throat or tongue, and rapidly leads to lightheadedness and low blood pressure. In extreme cases, it can result in death. So it’s vital the early onset is caught immediately by administering an injection of adrenaline. (epinephrine) This prevents further development of reaction and the potential for death.

Anaphylaxis

In the US alone, anaphylaxis is the cause of roughly 1,500 deaths a year. It affects up to 15% of the population. Main causes of anaphylaxis are allergies to food, venom, drugs, and latex. It’s a little-known fact that anaphylaxis draws many similarities to a volcano. For the most part, sufferers know the risk exists, but have a disaster plan in place. Unfortunately, the extreme allergen-induced reaction carries another parallel to its naturally occurring counterpart: it can lie dormant.

This is known as ‘biphasic anaphylaxis’, and differs slightly from its more commonly-known cousin. Biphasic anaphylaxis takes place long after the initial shock and exposure to an allergen. The host suffers from an ongoing recurrence allergy symptoms until a secondary bout of anaphylactic shock.

Several epidemiological studies have been conducted with the hope of understanding how common biphasic anaphylaxis actually is. Its dormant nature has made it difficult to report a precise finding. Regardless of not being able to pin down an accurate report, there are no two ways about it; biphasic anaphylaxis is on the rise and currently affects 1 in 5 people. The shock itself varies from person to person. The typical reaction, however, is milder and less life-threatening than the original anaphylactic episode.

The most significant challenge with it being an unpredictable reaction – quite like its natural disaster counterpart – is that it can be impossible to foresee when the second phase of the reaction will strike, as well as how long the ongoing symptoms will occur as both are notably variable.

Second wind

As with most reactions, it’s a challenge to determine a one-size-fits-all answer as to the trigger of biphasic anaphylaxis. In recent years there has been an emerging pattern as to those patients more likely to suffer a secondary shock. Severe anaphylaxis reactions that require a higher dose than usual in the first instance or take longer to ‘recover’ are more likely to result in a biphasic response.

While the usual ‘reaction’ remedies of antihistamines or steroids prove entirely ineffective against preventing biphasic anaphylaxis, they do minimise any other irksome topical symptoms such as itchy skin and hives.

As off-the-shelf treatment is no match for biphasic anaphylaxis, other methods must be carried out in preparation. Awareness is the first step. It’s vital that you and the key people in your life understand how to properly handle an adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injector in readiness for a secondary reaction. The updated advice after European review is recommended that 2 adrenaline auto-injectors are prescribed, which patients should carry at all times.

Preparing yourself for the signs of anaphylaxis is critical as this can be the difference between life or death. Once you have one anaphylactic shock, you are susceptible to another, so it’s a good idea to keep yourself as prepared as possible in the event of an emergency.

To find out more, speak to our specialists about anaphylaxis and allergy testing to find out what has caused the reaction in the past or any other advice relating to allergies. Visit our website to book an appointment.