The tiny hairs on the leaves and stems of this plant can cause significant irritation and burning to any part of the body that comes in contact with this plant. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Again, this would be a time to use an antihistamine recommended by your vet. By avoiding any rubbing or touching at first, the chemicals are not pushed further into the skin, which can cause the painful reaction to last longer, possibly even days. They are used as treatments for cats , a sort of new age foo foo supplement. If your dog eats stinging nettles, it's likely they'll have some discomfort and mild gastrointestinal illness. When something brushes against these hairs, their very fragile silica tips break off, and the remainder of the hair can then act like a needle. Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. "My husband walked through some nettles while we were in the Greek Islands in 2012 and got the rash from it (only on. It may also encourage bleeding and cause uterine contraction. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. During allergy season you can give nettles 1 to three times a day to help with prevention. Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. The irritation and rash are usually short lived and do not cause an ongoing rash like poison ivy does. A sting near the eye can be treated with a simple, cold compress. As your blisters ooze or burst, they will begin to dry out. If you have areas of broken skin that are warm to the touch, draining pus, or more inflamed than the surrounding areas, then you may be developing an infection. westwales . Ratings: +83,410. Erect stems growing three to seven feet tall are lined with soft-green pointed leaves with serrated edges. References unlocking this expert answer. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The chemical irritants from the plant can dry on the surface of the skin, then they can be removed by soap and water. Capsules: Take 8-12g of dried leaf per day or 4-6g of dried root daily. nettle offers a variety of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, polyphenols and pigments many of which also act as antioxidants inside your. This article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD. If your cat has multiple stings or bites, a soothing oatmeal bath is the way to go. Idk about getting my jewels burned by the urtica dioica though :) Stinging nettle features sharp hairs on its leaves. Urtica dioica, often known as common nettle, burn nettle, stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting) or nettle leaf, or just a nettle or stinger, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to tell when you should seek medical attention for a nettle sting, read on! . By using our site, you agree to our. Because its rich in nitrogen, this is particularly useful for leafy vegetables like kale, chard and spinach. Is it good to have nettles in your garden? Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the sting site. Usually this inflorescence consists of a main, dense spike, and two smaller, lateral spikes. If your cat has multiple stings or bites, a soothing oatmeal bath is the way to go. I was picking raspberries wearing a t-shirt. The high vitamin C content of the nettle extract helps the body absorb the quercetin, and they work together to bring down inflammation and support the immune system, among other benefits, listed above. Top 10 Most Dangerous and Poisonous Plants. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines might also help to counteract the reaction that is occurring in your body. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. his ankles and calves). Flowers of clearweed are in narrow racemes that are shorter than stinging nettle, at only about 1 inch (2.5cm) long. To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. To treat a sting from a stinging nettle, try not to touch the affected area so you don't rub the chemicals released by the plant further into your skin. The plant is considered an herbaceous perennial, meaning that it has herbal properties and grows back in the same areas year after year. Nettles. Id check with a veterinarian not the crazy internet really. Follow the package directions. Some paw waxes might reduce stinging and soothe afterwards. "The article on stinging nettles was very helpful. Historically, they have been dried and used as a nutrient-dense winter food for livestock. Does vinegar help nettle stings? well if your cat gets stung then the best way to deal with it is to put a cold cloth on the cats stung area and then you call the vets and arrange an appointment quickly and then you if you cannot . Stinging nettles can cause a rash and other symptoms if people touch them. What are the side effects of stinging nettle? Stinging nettle is often considered a "weed" due to its promiscuous growth habits. Within about a minute the sting will be no more. Purslane is usually found growing out of . Nettles can sting dogs paws leading to intense itching and chewing. Urtica dioica has heart shaped. Apply a layer of the wax removal, let it dry for about 5 minutes, then gently peel off the wax, taking the plant debris along with it. Then apply antibiotic ointment. An inflammatory nettle rash is uncomfortable, but temporary and not dangerous. Soak the foot in warm Epsom salts water to relieve swelling. Without a photo etc we can't really help ID what you found, but stinging nettle does sting when small. These extremely toxic larvae can grow up to 2" (5.5 cm) long and be shades of green or brown. Nettle stings can cause severe irritation to our pets and sometimes the pet will not put their weight through the affected feet to avoid the pain. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Interestingly, the cooked plant is safe to eat and is popular is some places as a vegetable. The toothed leaves are borne oppositely along the stem, and both the stems and leaves are covered with numerous stinging and non-stinging trichomes (plant hairs). What do I do if my dog gets stung by nettles? Dogs have body areas with little to no fur, like their bellies. % of people told us that this article helped them. No, goats can not eat stinging nettle plants. After, "I didn't need to get past the first few steps, but I took the advice to wash with soap and water (without. The tall plants, anywhere from 10 to 20 feet high, produce small whitish-green . Minimize swelling. 5 drops for cats and small dogs. Be aware of similar species that aren't stinging nettles, like false nettles, horse balms, white snakeroots, and hemp nettles. . What should I do if my cat got stung by an insect? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It pierces the skin, and releases a cocktail of various chemicals from the base of the hair, and it's these that cause . Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. But, it is not their shield from the stings of the nettles or other thorny plants. In severe cases, immediate surgery is required in order to drain excess fluids from an affected eyeball. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I've eaten plenty of cooked nettles. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Study the entire plant to identify stinging nettles: the stems, roots, leaves, flower clusters, etc. In this video we find out what really happens when you get stung by a stinging nettle. There is also some branching on each flowering stem. It is a common plant that people can eat. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. The rash looks similar to hives, with raised areas of whitish blisters. Stinging nettles don't have a particularly strong odor as far as we are aware - there's certainly nothing about the smell that strikes a human nose as being recognizable. 7 - Fights allergy symptoms. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. But a fresh nettle leaf garnish would hurt. Also keep nails short. However, some plants have smooth stems so you should also check for leaves that are long, with coarsely serrated edges and a pointed end. Calamine lotion applied to the paw pads will soothe the area, but your dog will immediately try to lick this off. She believes that food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget or dietary restrictions. The stinging hairs act a lot like a hypodermic needle when your skin brushes against them. Fen nettle ( Urtica galeopsifolia) is found in a confusingly variable set of environments in England. When youre in these areas, search for a single-stalked plant with a sharply-angled stem, often lined with bristly, stinging hairs. determine what is toxic to a particular pet. Stinging nettles are easily distinguished plants with a memorable sting. Stinging nettle If touched, these needle-like hairs inject the stinging acid into the skin, triggering a burning, tingling sensation and an itchy rash. Stinging nettles are great wildlife attractors: caterpillars . They didn't sting while under the water. When ingested, stinging nettle can result in profuse salivation, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, labored breathing, muscle fasciculations (twitching) and ataxia. If your cat has multiple stings or bites, a soothing oatmeal bath is the way to go. Wood nettle will have branching flower clusters at the top of the plant, unlike stinging nettle. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care. This causes erythema (redness), swelling, and intense itching. body. Crush the nettles. Remove the stinger, if it is still in place. Or, you can rub the leaves of jewelweed on the affected area. I'm not sure if it's the nettle plant or not, but, "First of all, I rubbed the area vigorously as I was annoyed. Yes, heat neutralizes. It is a member of the Urticaceae family, which includes as many as 500 species worldwide. Stinging nettles are great for wildlife Later in the year small seed-eating birds, including chaffinch, bullfinch and house sparrow all benefit from the thousands of small seeds which each nettle plant produces. Hi Pamela. Blanching the leaves briefly in boiling water will also remove the stingers. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Unlike below I'm speaking from first hand experience. The toxic effects of insect venom can also kill large amounts of eye cells, leading to temporary, or in some cases, permanent partial or complete vision loss. Soothe the bite site. Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. Urtica dioica is ubiquitous here and the odd sting is to be expected on any country footpath. As, "This has happened to me a couple of times in the last few weeks. Cats need to stay away from the leaves, sap and the stems of poinsettia as they are all poisonous. (For use as a vegetable they need to be young. He keeps getting recurring rashes (sensitive to touch but not as painful or stinging) in the same areas ever since. https://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/StingingNettle_FS_18-086-0716.pdf, https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/105371.html, https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/stinging-nettle, https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/false_nettle.htm, https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/collinsonia/canadensis/, https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a747, http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/wood_nettle.htm, http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/north_bugle.html, https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.119607, https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/spearmint.html, http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/clearweed.htm, https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/selfheal, https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/marsh-hedge-nettle, An image and information search of "Stinging Nettle" or. A jewelweed plant is the same plant as an impatiens. By using our site, you agree to our. These hairs contain chemicals, such as formic acid and histamine, which can irritate the skin and cause stinging, itching, and redness . Flower clusters are droopy like stinging nettle, but they are born on cymes (branching flower clusters) at the top of the plant. Agree x 1; longk, May 12, . The stems are sharply angled (typically 4-angled), often with bristly-pubescent stinging hairs. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Higher or lower blood sugar levels. Are stinging nettles poisonous? If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or feeling like your throat is tightening. Hemp nettle grows shorter than stinging nettle and also has bristly hairs on the stems and leaves. 4 Would you go blind if a bee sting you in the eye? Purslane. To avoid the nettle sting, we just wear long sleeves and gloves when we are handling fresh nettle plants. The striking shape and color of the stinging rose caterpillar is typical of the Limacodidae, who don't try to blend in with their surroundings, as most caterpillars do. The leaves and stems of the plant are covered with brittle, hollow, hair-like structures. Can stinging nettles hurt cats? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The stinging nettle is a plant found practically all over the world. What makes Marilyn stand out from other chefs is her unique approach to cooking. If you use it raw, first crush the hollow "needles" flat using the blunt end of a knife or pressing down with a drinking glass. Add some stinging nettle extract to your cats canned food or water to help relieve congestion and sneezing. Chlorphenamine tablets or syrup can be put into a small amount of food that your pet likes and this can be given to your pet before their main dinner. Chemicals flow through the hollow tubes and cause a nasty stinging sensation and a rash. A rash that extends beyond the exposed area, and can be all over the body. Nettle stings can cause severe irritation to our pets and sometimes the pet will not put their weight through the affected feet to avoid the pain. 5 Do I need to take my cat to the vet for a bee sting? . How to get rid of a sting from a nettle plant? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. ", I've been using hot water to treat and clean with, so knowing that I should have been using cold was a huge help with the itch & sting! Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Male flowers are borne from the axils of the leaves, whereas female flowers are at the top of the plant. Because nettles grow very easily, there are many different varieties. Even though the pain can be intense during the first few minutes, by avoiding any touching or rubbing, you may prevent the pain from lingering for days. Nettles not only boost your pets immune system, but theyre also natural diuretics that help your cat and dog get rid of waste from the body and are great a natural remedy for those pets that often suffer from allergies. Stinging nettle has significant health benefits for many illnesses, but, All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. What does it mean that the Bible was divinely inspired? The plant has been shown to cleanse the body of metabolic waste and increase production of red blood cells. . This article has been viewed 177,887 times. Support wikiHow by This website uses cookies. The stinging hairs act a lot like a hypodermic needle when your skin brushes against them. Cooked stinging nettles can be used in place of cooked spinach in many recipes. . % of people told us that this article helped them. They are used as treatments for cats , a sort of new age foo foo supplement. ", continuing to pick for 2 hours, I went home and had a hot bath! This article has 27 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Apply the antibiotic cream or ointment directly to the areas involved. The chemical content found in the juice from the leaves and stem of a jewelweed plant is reportedly effective at counteracting the sting from a stinging nettle. Boil the nettles. Yeah they are since cats in the wild were probably affected the most when they werent house cats. The nettles sting is an adaptation to provide protection from predators. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to tell when you should seek medical attention for a nettle sting, read on! The tips break off when touched, unsheathing the sharp needles. Since it has anti-inflammatory properties it may help with sinus pressure and swelling. Probably have a hard time keeping the fuzz away from its new "treat" I imagine now. Another toxic plant that is commonly found in UK homes at Christmas time is the poinsettia. Enjoy! This is great for recipes that use cooked nettles, and for making fresh herbal infusions. Calamine or Caladryl lotion can help to provide a soothing feeling and help to reduce the itching and burning. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Your doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic cream or ointment, or may want you take a course of oral antibiotics. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. All true nettles are a part of the Nettle Family. Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) in the Herb Garden. Hi Erma. I have a book on 101 things to do with Stinging nettles,not much help but it might just change your perception of the stinging nettle . (for humans too!) Is a stinging nettle renewable energy? The leaves, stems, and roots have been used for food, medicine, cordage, and dye for millennia. Apply the paste to the affected areas. Clean and treat the area promptly. You can either make a thick baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with water. Useful x 3; Like x 2; wiseowl, May 12, 2015 #7 Quote in Conversation. If your cat is stung by a bee or wasp they are most likely to suffer from a swollen paw or face, which are the most common places for cats to be stung. 2. Stinging nettles have tiny, fuzzy-like white flowers. Dog and cats- make a powder from dried herb and add to the animal's food or make dog/cat treats occasionally for boosted nutrition . This acid can redden the skin and cause a non-spreading rash that can last up to 24 hours. Risks. She has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world, including The Ritz-Carlton and The French Laundry. Wendy B. Zomlefer shares in the publication "Stinging . Would you go blind if a bee sting you in the eye? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Most people remember stinging nettles from the "bite" these plants cause when touched. Though rare, bee stings do happen near or in the eye. Where most weeds are annuals, stinging nettle is a colonizing perennial, with a single colony capable of thriving in one area for several decades. For drying/preserving for tea, it's best to wait until they start popping up in late winter / early spring. The coolness of the product will have a soothing effect, and the active properties of the cream or ointment can help prevent infection. A dock weed plant commonly grows in the same general areas as the stinging nettle plant. You usually find nettles growing on the edge of woodlands. Your cat will experience some localised pain and irritation from the sting, just like a human, but this should go away after a short period of time. The nettle does not want to seriously harm the herbivore, more teach it a lesson. Generally, all dogs of any age and breed are just as vulnerable to stinging nettle stings as one another. The leaves are very large, oval, have rounded tips, and have a wavy look to the edges. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Until it gets stung , might not be so keen on it then. Though rare, bee stings do happen near or in the eye. Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is a perennial flowering plant that grows in North America, Europe, and Asia. Last Updated: December 22, 2022 These plants also grow naturally in the same areas where you may come across a stinging nettle. Try not to scratch the area, as this can cause the irritation to get worse. When ingested, stinging nettle can result in profuse salivation, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, labored breathing, muscle fasciculations (twitching) and ataxia. Even today, nettles are steamed and dried for stews and tea. When ingested, stinging nettle can result in profuse salivation, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, labored breathing, muscle fasciculations (twitching) and ataxia. The plant itself tends to be a little darker green than stinging nettle. Dried nettles can also be given to animals. Stinging nettle tea can reduce your allergy reactions by stopping or slowing down your body's histamine production when you encounter an allergen. Typically, a dog will run by the nettle, and the hair tips theyre angled and hollowed will catch on to your dog, entering your pups skin and breaking upon contact. Apply any treatments gently to the area by using a dabbing motion to prevent further irritation. You can take an NSAID pain reliever for pain as long as you have no contraindication. How do I know if my cat has had an allergic reaction to a toxic plant? These tips or needles inject histamine into tissue when animals (or humans) rub up against the plant. Minimize swelling. Horses don't usually eat stinging nettle, but if they lie down or roll on the plant, glassy hairs from the plant's leaves and stems cause a skin reaction characterized by wheals or hives and an intensely painful stinging sensation that may last 24 hours or more. It is still, as far as I can find as of this writing, a bit confusing to botanists. After all, it is just like our hair, stings can still get through. Not for nothing were they used as a source of textile fibre in the past.) Despite the fibrous stem of the plants, this food source is also easily digested by pigs, rabbits and poultry. Their bodies are covered with urticating spines that contain potentially deadly poison. People also use it in herbal and. Stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica) is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial that is usually regarded as a weed but is occasionally grown as a garden plant. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the sting site. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. Try some vitamin C or local honey, or visit your nearest health food store and ask about one or more of the following: Marilyn Medina is a food expert with over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. Even if she appears to have a mild, localized reaction, you should still call your vet right away. Stinging nettles grow in colonies, typically in the moist, mineral-rich soil of uncultivated areas -- not gardens. The chemicals released by the plant include acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, moroidin, leukotrienes, and possibly formic acid. First Aid Remedies for Cat Bee Stings But if you see that your cat is uncomfortable or the swelling is causing a problem, ask your vet if you can give your cat over-the-counter diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Stinging nettles are covered with countless tiny hollow hairs called trichomes. Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. This can be used in dogs and cats in small amounts . What is a natural remedy for cat allergies. 8 Common Weeds Your Chickens Will Love. When ingested, stinging nettle can result in profuse salivation, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, labored breathing, muscle fasciculations (twitching) and ataxia. If what you found is all black then may not be stinging nettle, although some have black tinges when assumed to have a lot of iron content, perhaps from high amounts in the soil its growing in. For cats that exhibit seasonal allergies to pollen, stinging nettle extract is effective. References. For more detailed information about how we use cookies, please review our. Stinging nettles can cause a rash and other symptoms if people touch them. What system warns people of natural disasters? How do you soothe nettle stings? This plant has a spinach-like taste. What are some examples of how providers can receive incentives? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". And, in nettles, the amino acids are in balance. Fireweed (Urtica chamaedryoides), may not be a pasture weed that causes great economic losses from competition, but it can cause distress to people who come in contact with it in their pastures or around the farm. Sneezing. The bee stinger contains toxins that can cause inflammation. It also has typically wider leaves (though shape ranges from oval to lance-shaped), and has pink, white, or variegated flowers growing from the base of the leaf. Their fur can indeed protect to some extent. They are found at the top of the plant, and form in dense spikes of whorled flowers. May Reduce . {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Brennnessel_1.jpeg\/460px-Brennnessel_1.jpeg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Brennnessel_1.jpeg\/687px-Brennnessel_1.jpeg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":374,"bigWidth":688,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"