Giant Hogweed Mother's warning as child burned by plant

Adele Elliott, from Andover, was horrified to find that her seven-year-old son had fallen victim to the dangerous plant.

She told the Advertiser: "My son came home from school and had what looked like a whitehead on his finger, so I burst it thinking it was one.

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"The next day it had become a great big blister that kept growing and growing and popping, and he ended up with an infection - his skin was eating itself."Adele's son's finger (Image: Adele Elliott)

It is thought that the injuries were more than likely caused by 'Britain's deadliest plant', Giant Hogweed, which left Adele feeling concerned.

"It was scary because we didn't know what he'd done.

"I took him to the doctors who prescribed an antibiotic cream to help clear it up, and after a bit of research found out it could only be from this."

Adele had found multiple instances of the toxic plant, notably along the path near Newbury Road and in Knights Enham

"It's absolutely horrendous, it's scary to think that even just on general walkways around Andover, it is just so prominent.

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"It's horrendous stuff and not many people actually realise how dangerous it is, it's not something you would think about.

Expressing a warning to others, Adele said: "If your child has been near it, or you think they have, please keep an eye out for blisters, and if one does appear then cover it up because as soon as sunlight gets to it, it will just keep burning.

"It has massive leaves and looks a bit like cauliflower heads

"People need to be aware and be cautious of what is around, if anything happens that you can't explain like a huge blister, get it checked out, get medical advice and cover it up.Some Hogweed in Andover (Image: Adele Elliott)

"Because of where it was on his finger, he said it didn't hurt at first, it was just itchy, but it wasn't until the blister got bigger and he was trying to bend his finger that the pain started.

Adele was relieved that the incident wasn't as bad as it could have been.

"Thankfully it was just his finger, I can't imagine what it would be like if it was his face.

"My son is very cautious now, he keeps asking 'mum is that the plant that got me' whenever we walk past a bush.

"I think the council should know how dangerous certain plants are, and should do something to make people aware of it."

Councillor Nick Adams-King, Hampshire County Council’s executive lead member for universal services, said: "Hampshire County Council records known growth sites of injurious and invasive weeds such as Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed and Marestail and these are treated appropriately.

"At this time, we do not have any recorded sites for Giant Hogweed in and around the locations mentioned.

"We always encourage members of the public who believe they have found these weeds to photograph them and report full details to us via our Reporting Vegetation Issues web form at hants.gov.uk/transport/roadmaintenance/roadproblems/othertree, whereupon we will send an engineer out to review the site and, if appropriate, add it to our register and treatment programme."