A thorny issue !

[newbieveggie]

Hello all.
Just wondering if any of you have had a similar experience. I stabbed my hand with blackthorn at the weekend (no not on purpose !) and my fingers,joints and hand have swollen big time. I have been to the docs and I'm on anti histamines and antibiotics, painkillers etc. What I was wondering was how long does it take for full movement to come back in your hand. Its in my right hand and of course I'm right handed which makes almost every task painful and time consuming. Also can I now assume that I would prob get an even worse reaction if it were to happen again or is this the norm ?? Help !
I just know one of you would have done the same thing before

[Hilary B]

I think blackthorn thorns have a slightly toxic effect, so it won't be 'allergy' as such, and future such incidents SHOULD be no worse.... probably.... if I'm right.......
As a DIY remedy for the inflamation, you may find that soaking alternately in hot and cold water helps speed things up (the hot, not TOO hot, but as warm as you can stand for 5 mins at a time, the cold just above freezing). In the absence of any alternative, that treatment reduced a bee sting on my OH's hand last year (he isn't allergic).

[Pumpkin Becki]

Could explain why the council weren't keen on us planting Blackthorn as part of a mixed native hedge next to a footpath!

[Glutton4...]

Ouch, sounds painful . If I get an insect bite it swells and itches for days, if I get stung I swell and have to take extra-strong anti-histamines. But Blackthorn stabs sometimes get a little puss but no swelling, and I've had loads. I've got a small Blackthorn tip in one knuckle - been there about four years. I can see it but it's too deep to dig out!

Good luck with it!

[Peter]

Could explain why the council weren't keen on us planting Blackthorn as part of a mixed native hedge next to a footpath!

Nah, they'll just be scared of thorns, full-stop.
In case someone gets a scratch.