According to reports this evening, four teens were playing in a park in Bolton, Greater Manchester, on Saturday when the incident occurred. They are believed to have brushed against some giant hogweed, which contains harmful chemicals known as photo-sensitising furanocoumarins.
A seven-year-old girl was also brought to hospital after she brushed off the harmful plant while out on a walk in the Salford area.
The harmful chemicals in hogweed are known for preventing the body from protecting itself from UV light, which leads to severe burns and boils being left on the skin.
According to the Mirror, in all of the cases, a red rash developed on the skin. The teens then experienced pain in the affected areas as their skin began to blister. All four teens received hospital treatment for their shocking wounds and injuries.
The families of those affected have gone public with their stories in the hope that they may be able to save others from the same injuries.
It can take up to seven years for skin affected by hogweed to repair itself, and the plant’s sap can cause permanent blindness if rubbed into the eyes.
Since news of the incidents went public, medical experts have urged anyone who makes contact with hogweed to cover up the area and wash with soap and water. Always visit your doctor if you are concerned about any injuries.
