Getting pricked by a blackberry thorn can cause a nasty infection on your skin. Those thorns can carry germs that sneak into your skin and cause a bit of trouble.
Do blackberry thorns cause rashes?
Roses and cacti are famous for these, but the tiny spikes are on many common plants, such as some mosses, palms, and blackberry and raspberry bushes. The rash that results from contacting these spikes is similar to contact dermatitis, but includes tiny puncture wounds and is called mechanical irritant dermatitis.
Symptoms to Watch Out For: Blackberry Thorn Infection
If you’re dealing with a blackberry thorn infection, you might start noticing:
- Redness, Swelling, and Pain: The spot where you got poked looks red, swollen, and hurts.
- Increased Temperature: It feels warmer than usual.
- Drainage or Fluid: You might see some gunk or fluid oozing out.
- Feeling Feverish: You could feel like you’ve got a fever going on.
What to do if you get pricked by a thorn?
Puncture wounds: First aid Wash your hands. This helps prevent infection. Stop the bleeding. Apply gentle pressure with a clean bandage or cloth. Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with clear water for 5 to 10 minutes. Apply an ointment. Cover the wound. Change the dressing. Watch for signs of infection.
Serious Complications to Be Aware Of: Blackberry Thorn Infection
Sometimes, this kind of infection can get pretty serious, causing things like:
- Cellulitis: when the infection spreads deeper into your skin and tissues.
- Sepsis: a really risky problem when the infection gets into your bloodstream.
- Tetanus: an awful infection that messes with your muscles and makes it tough to open your mouth.
Can you get sepsis from a thorn?
That a simple brief nick from a bramble or rose can cause sepsis. That if dirt from the thorn gets into your bloodstream, infection can spread frighteningly fast.
Taking Action
If you think a blackberry thorn has caused an infection, don’t delay—go see a doctor ASAP. Catching it early and getting treated can stop things from getting worse.
What does an infection from a thorn look like?
The first symptom is a small pink, red or purple painless bump resembling an insect bite. The bump, or lesion, usually appears on the finger, hand or arm where the fungus first entered through a break in the skin.
Blackberry Thorn Infection: Treatment Options
How they treat it depends on how bad it is. For not-so-bad cases, you might get pain meds you can buy without a prescription and creams with antibiotics. But if it’s worse, you might need stronger meds like prescription antibiotics or pills that fight fungus. Sometimes, they might even need to do surgery to take out the thorn or drain the gunk from the wound.
What antibiotic is good for thorn injury?
First-generation cephalosporins such as cephalexin (Keflex, Aspen Pharmacare) or cefadroxil (Duricef) are sufficient for most superficial puncture wounds. If the wound is grossly contaminated and/or a metallic object has penetrated the skin or shoe, adjust empiric antibiotics accordingly.
When should I see a doctor for a thorn?
If you can’t remove the splinter completely, if it is lodged deep into the skin, if there is heavy bleeding from the wound, or if the splinter is under a fingernail or toenail, you will want to seek compassionate care from the experienced staff here at Portland Urgent Care.
How do you manage a thorn infection?
Treatment. It’s probable your doctor will prescribe a several-month course of antifungal medication, such as itraconazole. If you have a severe form of sporotrichosis, your doctor might commence your treatment with an intravenous dose of amphotericin B followed by an antifungal medication for at least a year.
Will plant thorn arthritis go away on its own?
Currently, the only treatment for plant thorn arthritis is surgical removal of the thorn fragments and a synovectomy to remove the inflamed joint lining. Without treatment, plant thorn arthritis may develop into chronic arthritis.
