Common signs to watch for: Erythema (redness) Swelling Intense itching Drooling Pawing at the mouth Vomiting Labored breathing Muscle fasciculations (twitching) Incoordination (ataxia) If I touch someone else, or they touch my rash, will they get a rash too? 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. Use gloves to collect leaves and stems. 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. Tincture: Flow the guidelines of the manufacturer as it will depend on their product but as a rough guide. The stinging hairs, called trichomes, are hollow like hypodermic needles with protective tips. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. What do I do if my dog gets stung by nettles? Stinging nettles are both tasty and healthful and considered a desirable, if weedy, herb. These hairs contain chemicals, such as formic acid and histamine, which can irritate the skin and cause stinging, itching, and redness . This causes erythema (redness), swelling, and intense itching. Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Pet Poison Helpline. Flowers of clearweed are in narrow racemes that are shorter than stinging nettle, at only about 1 inch (2.5cm) long. Can stinging nettles hurt cats? Your doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic cream or ointment, or may want you take a course of oral antibiotics. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. Stinging Nettles are popular with plant foragers for their edible qualities and medicinal uses. The stinging sensation can last from half an hour to a few days, depending on the sensitivity of your skin. The tall plants, anywhere from 10 to 20 feet high, produce small whitish-green . Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. To avoid the nettle sting, we just wear long sleeves and gloves when we are handling fresh nettle plants. Follow the package directions. They are used as treatments for cats , a sort of new age foo foo supplement. This can be used in dogs and cats in small amounts . There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Some stinging nettle subspecies may have green stems, whereas other subspecies may have purple stems. 7 - Fights allergy symptoms. You can also cut nettles to lay, as they are, around larger plants or shrubby fruits, where they will serve as a valuable mulch. The coolness of the product will have a soothing effect, and the active properties of the cream or ointment can help prevent infection. Our livestock and ducks love to forage in them. Are stinging nettles poisonous? The fact that the sting does little other than mildly irritate is also very important. Signs that your dog has eaten nettles include: Pawing at the mouth Drooling Dilated pupils Vomiting Diarrhoea Difficulty breathing Ataxia What to do if your dog is stung by nettles These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Hi Erma. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Minimize swelling. A dock weed plant commonly grows in the same general areas as the stinging nettle plant. 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. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. These plants are poisonous to goats and can be very harmful or even lethal to them if ingested. You can also squeeze the juice from a dock plant or jewelweed plant onto your skin to calm the stinging. This plant has been known to be a leading cause of bacterial skin infections which can rapidly spread on the pet's skin in wet, humid and hot situations, which could lead to death if not treated immediately. There was poison ivy there as well, so was unsure what I got. Male flowers are borne from the axils of the leaves, whereas female flowers are at the top of the plant. It may also encourage bleeding and cause uterine contraction. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Part 1 Cleaning the Area 1 Avoid touching the area at first. Having a higher free test will produce better erections and higher EQ. The nutritional value of its protein is better than meat! 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. Press J to jump to the feed. Chemicals flow through the hollow tubes and cause a nasty stinging sensation and a rash. 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. Remove the stinger, if it is still in place. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Cooked stinging nettles can be used in place of cooked spinach in many recipes. Wood nettle will have branching flower clusters at the top of the plant, unlike stinging nettle. Stinging Nettle is a perennial herb growing nearly worldwide. A sting near the eye can be treated with a simple, cold compress. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Apply any treatments gently to the area by using a dabbing motion to prevent further irritation. The lower leaves have a reddish color to their stems. Summary Stinging. Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is a perennial flowering plant that grows in North America, Europe, and Asia. After all, it is just like our hair, stings can still get through. 1. 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. . However, some plants have smooth stems so you should also check for leaves that are long, with coarsely serrated edges and a pointed end. You usually find nettles growing on the edge of woodlands. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Minimize swelling. Dogs have body areas with little to no fur, like their bellies. If your cat comes into contact with a lily you should take them to a vet immediately. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. What should I do if my cat got stung by an insect? Now we treat it with Manuka honey and it soothes it, but it still recurs. nettle offers a variety of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, polyphenols and pigments many of which also act as antioxidants inside your. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the sting site. Tincture: 2.5-5mL three times a day (1:5 in 40%) Hot Tea Infusion: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-3 teaspoons of dried herb and infuse for 10-15 minutes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Can dogs get stung by nettles on their nose? Pour fresh water over the area without touching. Avoid walking through nettles. "My husband walked through some nettles while we were in the Greek Islands in 2012 and got the rash from it (only on. 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. To identify stinging nettles, look for them in moist, wooded areas, like farmland, pastures, and roadsides. References. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The stinging nettle is a plant found practically all over the world. This sweetens the tea, albeit in a weird, licorice sort of way, and the licorice itself may help Fill the jar with boiling water Let it sit 4-8 hours to get incredibly strong What is a natural remedy for cat allergies. 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. To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. 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. [3] Occasionally the stems may be smooth. My Russian won't eat them so far but that's okay. 8 Common Weeds Your Chickens Will Love. Benefits. No, goats can not eat stinging nettle plants. Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. ", How to Treat a Sting from a Stinging Nettle, Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/N/Nettle%28Stinging%29/Nettle%28Stinging%29.htm, http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/accidents-and-injuries/bites-and-stings/stinging-nettles, http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/pages/Splinters-and-Other-Foreign-Bodies-in-the-Skin.aspx, http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2011/homolka_kail/cure.htm, https://luontoportti.com/en/t/2328/broad-leaved-dock, curar el sarpullido causado por la ortiga, Verbrennungen durch Brennesseln behandeln. The stinging hairs act a lot like a hypodermic needle when your skin brushes against them. Alternatively, the tablets or syrup can be placed carefully on the back of your pets tongue and their mouth held closed until the entire dose has been swallowed. The nettle does not want to seriously harm the herbivore, more teach it a lesson. Dogs typically get these stings because theyre curious and exploring. 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. Id check with a veterinarian not the crazy internet really. floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK. How do you treat a bee sting on the eye? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. For other plants known as "nettle", see Nettle. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the sting site. May Reduce . 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. Why do stinging nettles hurt so much? Last Updated: December 22, 2022 Apply antibiotic creams or ointments. Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Within about a minute the sting will be no more. You can either make a thick baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with water. Where most weeds are annuals, stinging nettle is a colonizing perennial, with a single colony capable of thriving in one area for several decades. If you do not have these materials on-hand, for immediate relief, human saliva can be applied to the affected area. Pictures, videos, questions, and articles featuring/about cats. A stinging. In place of the sting, nettle root tincture or cream can also be used topically for this purpose. Just pick a few leaves (with gloves, of course, and no stems), crush and mash them really well to get them juicy, and to crush any stinging hairs, then massage into the affected area. What system warns people of natural disasters? Interestingly, the cooked plant is safe to eat and is popular is some places as a vegetable. The entire area can appear swollen and inflamed, with a reddish tint to the area affected. Because nettles grow very easily, there are many different varieties. Nettles are a cooling herb so work well for those pets that are always hot. But if you cut them down the girls will chow on them for sure. A rash that includes redness, itching, and inflammation may persist since the skin has been injured from the direct contact from the stinging nettle plant. How do you get over him when he has a new girlfriend? Does stinging nettle help with cat allergies? The actual science behind the use of plants to treat this condition is very limited. Minimize swelling. Do not handle this plant without gloves. This article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD. Some paw waxes might reduce stinging and soothe afterwards. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Higher or lower blood sugar levels. 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. One of these chemicals is formic acid, which causes the painful rash. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Or, you can rub the leaves of jewelweed on the affected area. How do I know if my cat has had an allergic reaction to a toxic plant? RosemaryDW said: Stinging nettles are fine to feed. Alternatively, apply aloe vera or a paste made out of baking soda and water. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Boil the nettles. This can be done wearing gloves to ensure you don't get stung. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. In between the leaves, look for clusters of small greenish or yellow-greenish flowers without petals. This succulent-looking weed is tasty and great for your flock. Stinging nettles can cause a rash and other symptoms if people touch them. Continue to apply treatments as long as the area is uncomfortable. 2. The plant itself tends to be a little darker green than stinging nettle. Available products include agents such as cetirizine, or Zyrtec, loratadine, or Claritin, and diphenhydramine, or Benadryl. They will eventually form a crust once fully dry and begin to heal. Though it grows abundantly as a weed, stinging nettle is also sometimes cultivated as a food plant. The rash looks similar to hives, with raised areas of whitish blisters. 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. Why does stinging nettle hurt so much? Since it has anti-inflammatory properties it may help with sinus pressure and swelling. Support wikiHow by Generally, all dogs of any age and breed are just as vulnerable to stinging nettle stings as one another. After 10 minutes, wash your skin with soap and warm water or a clean cloth. 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. If you think your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline or seek immediate veterinary treatment. For cats that exhibit seasonal allergies to pollen, stinging nettle extract is effective. Erect stems growing three to seven feet tall are lined with soft-green pointed leaves with serrated edges. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. Capsules: Take 8-12g of dried leaf per day or 4-6g of dried root daily. This plant, which can easily reach 3 feet in height, has fine hairs on the stems and leaves. Sneezing. Wendy B. Zomlefer shares in the publication "Stinging . 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 . It may be of interest to note that not all species of stinging nettle have literal stinging properties. These plants also grow naturally in the same areas where you may come across a stinging nettle. Most people remember stinging nettles from the "bite" these plants cause when touched. Once you cook the leaves in boiling water, the needles will no longer be able to hurt you. 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. The bee stinger contains toxins that can cause inflammation. Is a stinging nettle renewable energy? Stinging nettle If touched, these needle-like hairs inject the stinging acid into the skin, triggering a burning, tingling sensation and an itchy rash. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This plant has a spinach-like taste. Would you go blind if a bee sting you in the eye? 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. Calamine or Caladryl lotion can help to provide a soothing feeling and help to reduce the itching and burning. The nettles sting is an adaptation to provide protection from predators. If you decide to harvest the plant yourself be careful it is called stinging nettle for a reason. A bit of time with google turned up: "Nettle is the green vegetable rich in protein. "The article on stinging nettles was very helpful. Purslane. Stinging nettles can cause a rash and other symptoms if people touch them. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In severe cases, immediate surgery is required in order to drain excess fluids from an affected eyeball. . Because its rich in nitrogen, this is particularly useful for leafy vegetables like kale, chard and spinach. Try it, you'll be amazed how well it works. Stomach upset, cramping, vomiting, or diarrhea, can sometimes be part of an allergic reaction. Hemp nettle grows shorter than stinging nettle and also has bristly hairs on the stems and leaves. If youve ever wondered if stinging nettles hurt dogs then the answer is yes. He keeps getting recurring rashes (sensitive to touch but not as painful or stinging) in the same areas ever since. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care. Apply a made-up paste of bicarbonate of soda and water to the sore areas of skin (this also works for bee stings), or if possible, stand your dog in a bowl of this solution. 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. These tips or needles inject histamine into tissue when animals (or humans) rub up against the plant. Finding mixed results on the Google. Add some stinging nettle extract to your cats canned food or water to help relieve congestion and sneezing. Soothe the bite site. determine what is toxic to a particular pet. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Remedies for this sting include a plant that often grows next to it called jewelweed. When ingested, stinging nettle can result in profuse salivation, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, labored breathing, muscle fasciculations (twitching) and ataxia. Look at the stems. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Soak the foot in warm Epsom salts water to relieve swelling. Subscribe: youtube.com/user/yourdiscoveryscience?sub_confirmation=1Lik. One of these chemicals is formic acid, which causes the painful rash. These cookies do not store any personal information. In this video we find out what really happens when you get stung by a stinging nettle. This species, along with its subspecies, is distributed all over the world, from Africa to Europe and in North and South America. Ratings: +83,410. For young children, you may want to put soft gloves or mittens on their hands to help avoid scratching. Once the stinger is removed, keep a close eye on your kitty to watch for signs of a severe reaction. 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. Are these okay for cats to eat? Caution: When collecting stinging nettle always cover up all exposed skin. 6 What should I do if my cat got stung by an insect? 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 . These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Expect stinging nettle to grow in most areas that are fairly moist. Stinging nettles are covered with countless tiny hollow hairs called trichomes. How long does it take for stinging nettle to go away? Can I give my cat Benadryl for a bee sting? Its preference for damp, fertile and disturbed ground makes it a good coloniser of places enriched by human activities, such as agriculture and development. Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. Agree x 1; longk, May 12, . It is considered either a subspecies of the common North . Approved. Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or feeling like your throat is tightening. This guide will help you identify what nettles look like so that you can avoid them the next time you may come across them. Hi Pamela. If you let your chickens out to free range, the nettles can provide a good hiding place and a bit of shade. Apply the paste to the affected areas. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines might also help to counteract the reaction that is occurring in your body. Enjoy! Calamine lotion applied to the paw pads will soothe the area, but your dog will immediately try to lick this off. Top 10 Most Dangerous and Poisonous Plants. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Self-care for nettle stings Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. Digestive discomfort. Idk about getting my jewels burned by the urtica dioica though :) It affects their skin same as us when the points break off (sting , itch , burn , yadda) but I watch chipmunk , rabbit , squirrel , racoon , bear , really dumb dogs and even a human treat it most months like a buffet from Big Boy and they are fine and happy. Youll also notice tiny, stinging hairs on both the upper and undersides of the leaves. 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. A sting near the eye can be treated with a simple, cold compress. Avoid . Each hair is like a hollow needle filled with formic acid, the same chemical in ant saliva that causes pain to humans when bitten. This can take 2 to 3 weeks, and you may still experience itching in the meantime. There is also some branching on each flowering stem. Can stinging nettles hurt dogs? 5 drops for cats and small dogs. . The sting causes any predator that may eat the plant or uproot it to stay clear. Stinging nettle is an herbaceous plant and often grows to about 2 metres (6.5 feet) in height. As, "This has happened to me a couple of times in the last few weeks. The leaves, stems, and roots have been used for food, medicine, cordage, and dye for millennia. Stinging nettles are a menace to dogs. One of the most toxic and deadliest caterpillars is the Giant Silkworm moth or South American Caterpillar ( Lonomia obliqua ). Home Vegetables Do Nettles Sting Cats? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Stinging nettle may cause: Low blood pressure. his ankles and calves). Even if she appears to have a mild, localized reaction, you should still call your vet right away. There are six subspecies of stinging nettle, five of which have stinging properties. The leaves and stems of this plant are covered in fine, tiny hairs. 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. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). One of these chemicals is formic acid, which causes the painful rash. A jewelweed plant is the same plant as an impatiens. Stinging nettle tea can reduce your allergy reactions by stopping or slowing down your body's histamine production when you encounter an allergen. Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. Again, this would be a time to use an antihistamine recommended by your vet. The stinging nettle, with it's jagged leaves, is an incredibly important plant for dozens of species of insects, including some of our most loved butterflies species. Another toxic plant that is commonly found in UK homes at Christmas time is the poinsettia. Stinging nettles are easily distinguished plants with a memorable sting. What makes Marilyn stand out from other chefs is her unique approach to cooking. (for humans too!) Some anecdotal evidence shows strong doses of fresh stinging nettle made into a soup or strong tea can be helpful. The plant grows in height from 20 inches (50.8cm) to about 50 inches, and the leaves grow to be about 16 inches (41cm) long. Toxicity to pets This causes erythema (redness), swelling, and intense itching. Useful x 3; Like x 2; wiseowl, May 12, 2015 #7 Quote in Conversation. This species is an annual that grows from seed spread from pre-existing hemp nettles, or deposited by animals, and human activity. She received her M.D. The medicinal properties of nettles were first harnessed in medieval Europe. ", continuing to pick for 2 hours, I went home and had a hot bath! Call your doctor right away if you experience these symptoms or if you have a fever. Thankfully the symptoms usually do not persist longer than 24 hours. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 2. The chemical irritants from the plant can dry on the surface of the skin, then they can be removed by soap and water. I agree to Pet Poison Helpline's use of cookies on this website. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Stinging nettle features sharp hairs on its leaves. Occasional side effects include mild stomach upset, fluid retention, sweating, diarrhea, and hives or rash (mainly from topical use). 10-15 drops for medium-sized dogs and 20-30 drops for larger breeds. Healing. Stinging nettle is native to western North America, Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and introduced elsewhere. Although the animals will not eat the plants when they are living, after the nettles are cut and dried they are a great fodder. The plant has been shown to cleanse the body of metabolic waste and increase production of red blood cells. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. {"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":"