After accidentally brushing against toxic plants, the face of a dog walker swelled to twice its normal size.
Christina Sabine, 26, from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, woke to find her skin blistered ‘like it had been doused with acid’.
Amateur artist claimed she was in such pain that she couldn’t walk, and was rushed to hospital.
Doctors believe she likely touched Giant Hogweed while walking her dogs Mocha and Latte.
She claimed that three months later she was still in severe pain and could not walk or use her fingers.
Christina Sabine (26), from Stratford-upon-Avon. Warwickshire. She was photographed after her face swelled by twice its normal size. Her skin was also blistered ‘like acid had been applied’ because she brushed into a Giant Hogweed.
Christina was walking her dogs Mocha & Latte when she was stung by the toxic plant. Her face swelled up to twice its normal size, and she experienced blisters and boils on her skin.
Christina as she looked on the morning before her Giant Hogweed ordeal began in Warwickshire
She said that she woke up and saw herself in the mirror.
“My face was swollen, my skin was blistered and it looked like I had been subject to an acid attack.
“My entire body was in too much pain to move.
“I even called 999 to ask if it was life-threatening.
“At this time, I didn’t understand why, and when someone said that it looked like it was caused Giant Hogweed I didn’t really know what they were talking about.
“I did some research on the matter and it made total sense. I walk past the plants when I walk my dogs and I didn’t know that they were poisonous.
Amateur artist claimed she was in such pain that she couldn’t walk, and was rushed to hospital.
She stated that she still feels the effects despite being in pain for months. “I am still in pain every day, and my hand is too painful to use properly.
The toxic plant caused her to get blisters and boils on her hands, which she was quickly treated by doctors. She said, “It can be so dangerous and it could even have been worse if it was a child.”
Christina is still in pain and can’t create art despite the fact that her blisters have disappeared.
“I still feel the effects even after months.
“I’m still in pain every single day, and I can’t use the hand properly because it is still too painful.”
“I want to raise awareness because it can be dangerous and it could have been even worse if it was a child.”
She said, “It shouldn’t be allowed to grow into public spaces – and if that happens, people should be able to see it and know to stay clear.”
Christina was walking her dogs along the Avon riverbank into Stratford town center when she came across the Giant Hogweed
Christina was walking along the Avon River to Stratford Town Centre when she came across the Giant Hogweed.
She was unaware of the problem until she woke in July 24th with blistering, swelling, and boils on her back, neck, fingers and legs.
She stated that she couldn’t walk because of the pain. Everything was red, swollen, and blistered.
“There were orange-colored pus balls on my hands and my skin was a reddish color. I looked like someone had dipped my hand into acid.
She was admitted to Warwick Hospital and transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for treatment.
After her ordeal, she filed a complaint with Stratford District Council.
During investigations, the council declined comment.
What is Giant Hogweed?
Giant Hogweed
Giant Hogweed is a non-native species to the UK.
It was first introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the 19th century after being discovered in the Caucasus Mountains and Central Asia.
The plant was freed and naturalized in the wild. It can be found throughout the UK, particularly on river banks, as its seeds are transported through water.
It has been a prolific and unstoppable spreader in Scotland for decades, generating up to 50,000 seeds that can last for many years.
The sap of the weed, which appears to be a giant version the harmless plant cow parsley is extremely toxic to animals and humans, causing severe burns to the skin.
The skin is sensitive to UV light for many decades. It can even cause blindness in the vicinity of the eyes.
Giant Hogweed can cause life-threatening injuries to thousands of people every year, including children and pets.