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Suggest Treatment For Thorn Injury On Palm

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Posted on Tue, 24 Mar 2015
Question: I was gardening and the thorn on the end of the Bayonet Palm penetrated a vein. My neighbor says the thorn is poisonous... what should I do? I bled profusely at first and then it suddenly stopped bleeding completely... it now seems to be forming a clot.
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Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
watch for swelling

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
The spines are not particularly poisonous but punctures can cause allergic reactions or introduce infection. The good news is that the profuse bleeding probably cleaned out the puncture pretty well. Still if you have not had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years you should get one within 72 hours after the wound.
Then just watch it for signs of infection like swelling, redness or pus.
If you see these signs then see a doctor immediately.
Hopefully it will heal up just fine.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Thorn Injury On Palm

Brief Answer: watch for swelling Detailed Answer: Hello and thank you for your question. The spines are not particularly poisonous but punctures can cause allergic reactions or introduce infection. The good news is that the profuse bleeding probably cleaned out the puncture pretty well. Still if you have not had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years you should get one within 72 hours after the wound. Then just watch it for signs of infection like swelling, redness or pus. If you see these signs then see a doctor immediately. Hopefully it will heal up just fine. Regards, Dr. Robinson