Citation

Baker BG, Bedford J, Kanitkar S. Burns 2016; 43(5): 933-938.

Affiliation

Burns & Plastic Surgery Department, University Hospital South Manchester, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 9LT, United Kingdom; Burns & Plastic Surgery Department, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M139WL, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.burns.2016.10.018

PMID

28041748

Abstract

Heracleum mantegazzianum, commonly known as giant hogweed, cartwheel-flower, giant cow parsnip, hogsbane or giant cow parsley, is a plant in the family Apiaceae. It is native to the Caucasus region and Central Asia and was introduced in Europe and North America as an ornamental plant. The sap of giant hogweed causes phytophotodermatitis in humans, resulting in blisters and long-lasting scars. These serious reactions are due to the furocoumarin substances in the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds of the plant.

Phytophotodermatitis is almost exclusively reported in the dermatological literature, but may progress to a chemical burn. There has been widespread media reporting during the summer of 2015 of burns caused by giant hogweed. However, there is a lack of awareness of this mechanism of injury amongst the burn multidisciplinary team, and there have been no published articles in the surgical literature regarding plant burns, other than sporadic case reports, for 20 years. We present a comprehensive review of plant burns and three cases from our adult and paediatric Burn Centres of burns caused by giant hogweed. Accurate diagnosis is straightforward with a detailed history and is important to prompt appropriate treatment, and prevent a misdiagnosis of non-accidental injury. This review and case series are timely to raise awareness of phytophotodermatitis and burns caused by plants to burns multidisciplinary teams. Prospective studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of topical treatments and surgical management.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Language: en