Britain’s ‘most dangerous plant’ strikes in Sussex: Personal trainer left with ‘raw’ burns and blisters on hands, arms and legs after brushing against giant hogweed during 60-MILE run
- Kat Parnell ran a 100km event that involved pushing through plants and bushes
- The next day she woke up with a red rash on her hands, arms and legs
A personal trainer was left with ‘raw’ burns and blisters after accidentally touching Britain’s ‘most dangerous plant’ – the giant hogweed.
Kat Parnell ran a 100km (62 mile) event on August 3, where she had to navigate through overgrown plants and shrubs.
The next day she woke up with an itchy red rash on her hands, arms and legs.
The 33-year-old woman from Ipswich, Suffolk, could not remember ever coming into contact with the dangerous plant and assumed she had had an allergic reaction to something.
However, according to NeedToKnow, the rashes developed into painful blisters and burns.
A personal trainer has been left with ‘raw’ burns and blisters after accidentally touching Britain’s ‘most dangerous plant’ – the giant hogweed
According to Woodland Trust, giant hogweed sap can cause burns and make the skin extremely sensitive to sunlight
She showed the injuries to her sister Stephanie, who was a nurse, and she said that Kat had probably come into contact with giant hogweed.
Kat continues to discover new itchy sores on her arms and legs, almost a week later.
She said: ‘I woke up covered in a rash and didn’t know if I was reacting to something strange.
‘They were itchy as hell and I tried not to scratch them.
‘They have gotten worse over time, and they are still popping up now. My arms, legs and hands are covered.
“They are red, raw, painful and blistering. It is irritating. I keep snagging them on something and am afraid they may scar.
‘I had to push over the bushes because they were quite overgrown.
‘I can’t remember what the hogweed looked like, but I pushed my elbows in so that they were covered.
“I’m glad I didn’t go to the toilet in there, because I had to go a few times.”
Kat Parnell ran a 100km (62 mile) event on August 3, where she had to navigate through overgrown plants and shrubs
Cat is still finding new itchy sores on her arms and legs, almost a week later
Kat completed the 100km run between Newmarket in the Stour Valley and Brantham in 14 hours.
She shared photos of her blisters on social media, while other participants in the running race said they had also developed blisters.
Kat said: ‘I posted the picture on social media and a lot of people said they had burns too.
“Everyone was suffering in silence, wondering what was wrong with them. They were glad I shared it so they knew what it was.”
According to Woodland Trust, the sap of the giant hogweed can cause burns and make the skin extremely sensitive to sunlight.
The NHS advises anyone who comes into contact with the plant to cover the affected area as soon as possible and wash with soap and water.
And Kate urges others to stay away from hogweed.
Kat said, “I’ve researched it and it can make you blind. It’s important to raise awareness so people don’t lose their sight.
“My injuries will go away, but it could cause permanent damage.”