Although the animals will not eat the plants when they are living, after the nettles are cut and dried they are a great fodder. ", 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! 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. Toxicity to pets This causes erythema (redness), swelling, and intense itching. I agree to Pet Poison Helpline's use of cookies on this website. [3] Occasionally the stems may be smooth. Healing. 10-15 drops for medium-sized dogs and 20-30 drops for larger breeds. But if you get stung on the eyelid or cornea, you should seek attention from an ophthalmologist. However, some plants have smooth stems so you should also check for leaves that are long, with coarsely serrated edges and a pointed end. These cookies do not store any personal information. It does not store any personal data. The tall plants, anywhere from 10 to 20 feet high, produce small whitish-green . Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) in the Herb Garden. Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or feeling like your throat is tightening. Where most weeds are annuals, stinging nettle is a colonizing perennial, with a single colony capable of thriving in one area for several decades. unlocking this expert answer. As, "This has happened to me a couple of times in the last few weeks. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Enjoy! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Remove the stinger, if it is still in place. The leaves are very large, oval, have rounded tips, and have a wavy look to the edges. Add some stinging nettle extract to your cats canned food or water to help relieve congestion and sneezing. The sting causes any predator that may eat the plant or uproot it to stay clear. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. The chemical irritants from the plant can dry on the surface of the skin, then they can be removed by soap and water. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. People also use it in herbal and. Can I give my cat Benadryl for a bee sting? Do I need to take my cat to the vet for a bee sting? Useful x 3; Like x 2; wiseowl, May 12, 2015 #7 Quote in Conversation. This plant, which can easily reach 3 feet in height, has fine hairs on the stems and leaves. floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK. One of the most toxic and deadliest caterpillars is the Giant Silkworm moth or South American Caterpillar ( Lonomia obliqua ). There are 5 subspecies of which 4 have stinging hairs. The stinging hairs act a lot like a hypodermic needle when your skin brushes against them. Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. 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. 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. A stinging. Not for nothing were they used as a source of textile fibre in the past.) Soak the foot in warm Epsom salts water to relieve swelling. Benefits. Stinging nettles are great wildlife attractors: caterpillars . The coolness of the product will have a soothing effect, and the active properties of the cream or ointment can help prevent infection. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? This species, along with its subspecies, is distributed all over the world, from Africa to Europe and in North and South America. On the one hand, this means that your dog won't necessarily be in a hurry to shove their face into a bushel of nettles. Would you go blind if a bee sting you in the eye? 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. Hi Pamela. Rash. Stinging nettles can sting dogs, despite all the fur your dog may have. Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. 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 . Flowers of spearmint are a light pinkish-purple. Generally, all dogs of any age and breed are just as vulnerable to stinging nettle stings as one another. I've eaten plenty of cooked nettles. 1. Our livestock and ducks love to forage in them. Probably have a hard time keeping the fuzz away from its new "treat" I imagine now. A sting near the eye can be treated with a simple, cold compress. The nutritional value of its protein is better than meat! For young children, you may want to put soft gloves or mittens on their hands to help avoid scratching. By using our site, you agree to our. Products are available over-the-counter that contain a mixture of anti-infective agents. Using dry weight comparisons, the nettle is 40% protein compared with 35% protein for soy beans. One of these chemicals is formic acid, which causes the painful rash. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Stinging nettle does not seem like the kind of plant anyone would want to harvest, let alone put into their mouth. body. This article has 27 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. It is a common plant that people can eat. 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. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. First Aid for Insect Stings in Cats. Flowers of clearweed are in narrow racemes that are shorter than stinging nettle, at only about 1 inch (2.5cm) long. Agree x 1; longk, May 12, . As your blisters ooze or burst, they will begin to dry out. Though rare, bee stings do happen near or in the eye. Within about a minute the sting will be no more. Dried nettles can also be given to animals. Stinging nettle may cause: Low blood pressure. This article has been viewed 177,887 times. Despite the fibrous stem of the plants, this food source is also easily digested by pigs, rabbits and poultry. Once you cook the leaves in boiling water, the needles will no longer be able to hurt you. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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. Your doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic cream or ointment, or may want you take a course of oral antibiotics. Chemicals flow through the hollow tubes and cause a nasty stinging sensation and a rash. Top 10 Most Dangerous and Poisonous Plants. Once the stinger is removed, keep a close eye on your kitty to watch for signs of a severe reaction. . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. And, in nettles, the amino acids are in balance. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. She received her M.D. You can also squeeze the juice from a dock plant or jewelweed plant onto your skin to calm the stinging. Subscribe: youtube.com/user/yourdiscoveryscience?sub_confirmation=1Lik. 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. (You can unsubscribe anytime). These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Ratings: +83,410. For cats that exhibit seasonal allergies to pollen, stinging nettle extract is effective. We use cookies for our legitimate interests of providing you with personalized content, enabling you to more easily use our website, evaluating use of our website, and assisting with ad reporting functions. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. If your cat has multiple stings or bites, a soothing oatmeal bath is the way to go. Minimize swelling. Risks. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. There are six subspecies of stinging nettle, five of which have stinging properties. The sting and rash from the plant are painful, but can be treated. Study the entire plant to identify stinging nettles: the stems, roots, leaves, flower clusters, etc. 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. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the sting site. How long does it take for stinging nettle to go away? Most people remember stinging nettles from the "bite" these plants cause when touched. In this video we find out what really happens when you get stung by a stinging nettle. Eating an overlooked plant that . Do not handle this plant without gloves. Stinging nettles can cause a rash and other symptoms if people touch them. 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. Stinging nettle stems (singular, never branched) can get as tall as about 1.5 feet (0.46 m) to 9 feet (2.7 m). {"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":"