Ragwort question

[molly34]

Probably a really blonde question, but is ragwort toxic to humans and dogs too? I pulled a bit up last night and was chucking it in the wheelbarrow with bare hands, and I'm itchy today - I am an itchy allergic sort of person anyway, but could it be the ragwort?

My mutts love stuffing their noses in piles of poo etc, so they're bound to investigate our growing heap of ragwort at some point as well - should I try to keep tham away from it? And before anyone asks, it IS out of the way of the neds - but we all know dogs are good at getting to places they shouldn't!

[Mehitabel]

yes to people (advice is to wear gloves), and i don't know about dogs but would assume so.

[Missmandamoo]

Errm i'm not sure wether it is toxic to humans or dogs but i no for CURTAIN you are not ment to touch it with your hands. And you should burn it when you pick it up(or something like that)

[Wally]

It can be absorbed through the skin apparently, but I am naughty and pull it up gloveless!

[coyote]

I am naughty and pull it up gloveless!

Me too ,have done for years was very :eek::eek: when i found out its toxic to humans!!

[chickyd444]

wev'e only had 1 or 2 ever come up - *grabs hold of kitchen chair to touch in repeatedly* and im afraid i do not wear gloves either :o

[Clava]

Yes it is toxic to humans, my neice ended up with a terrible sore on her hand which took a very long time to heal - however I too have to admit to doing it gloveless (better grip), but it comes up much easy after its rained!

[CurlyWurlyRach]

I pull it up gloveless :o I had no idea it was toxic to humans!!

[molly34]

Thanks guys.
I wondered if it was just a coincidence as I've got general midge-related itchiness at the mo anyway, but I thought I'd better check before I found out for myself the hard way. Its a bummer - I much prefer doing stuff like that barehanded. (At home I do most of the gardening with bare hands AND feet :D )
I guess its best to assume its bad for dogs too and try to keep them away from our heap - the greedy wotsits will eat anything given half a chance!

[artemis]

I know of someone who spent years pulling ragwort up without gloves & died in her 40's from liver disease - be warned.
I read some research a couple of years ago where they proved the rapid absorption of toxins through the human skin.

[*-crazy-chaz-*]

i knew it was toxic to humans but didnt know it could be absorbed by the skin :eek::o
yeah, i think its best to assume its harmful to dogs too, just incase! better safe than sorry :)

[eml]

I also know someone who had liver disease, never drank or anything else, only reason hospital could give was that he had regularly pulled ragwort.

DEFRA guidence is rubber gloves and pollen mask...not sure I would go that far but I do wear gloves and then wash carefully.

[Mimi + Me]

You are supposed to wear gloves of some kind but I never do and regularly get told off by my YO for not wearing them :o. I can't say I've ever had a problem with itchy/sensitive hands after a ragwort pulling session, but the smell of it makes me feel a bit sick when I've got a bag full of it, I don't know why but it seems to give off a bit of an odour - bloomin annoying weed that it is :mad::mad:

[Chip]

It's toxic to all mammals, (including sheep:cool:)

[marchog]

Medical science has not shown that handling ragwort does not cause liver problems in humans. Firstly research has shown that the alkaloids that cause the problems in animals do not actually penetrate the skin very easily. Secondly it is now known that the toxins have to go through a conversion step inside the intestine in order to become toxic. This means that the small amount of alkaloids that might be absorbed through the skin is passed out of the body harmlessly in a matter of hours.

The original poster doesn't need to worry at all. The irritation experienced is due to other chemicals which are present in many plants of the daisy family to which some people are sensitive.

As to people having liver problems that are of unknown cause. This is very common. We are still discovering new viruses that can slowly destroy the liver for example. Another cause is damage due to alcohol and people are notorious for underestimating the amount they drink. You do not have to be an alcoholic.

Liver damage of unknown cause is prevalent in horses too. Like this example from this forum

http://www.newrider.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=146071&highlight=ragwort

[kturner]

I knew someone who landed up at A & E after only one afternoon pulling without gloves.

That is OK for the odd one you walk past, but wouldnt do it more than one or two a week like that.

[laceyfreckle]

yes it is toxic to humans..........always wear gloves!!!

Also be aware your skin can absorp it and the pollen etc can be breathed in.

It causes liver problems in people (I have liver disease and am not meant to touch ragwort at all although my liver problem has another unknown cause!) (itching can be a sign your liver is not happy!!)

it is also a carcingenic (sp) especially in suspectible people (ie those with abnormal smear tests or have had any cell changes in the past)

[tasha]

There's gardening gloves on the shelves in the barn for that very purpose!

[TiggerthePony]

As others have said yes it is toxic to us too, they always say wear gloves, I have never done so and fortunately not had a reaction though am bound to next time I see any now I have said that LOL!

[star*]

I use a ragfork and remember to burn it afterwards or put it in a sealed ag untill can be disposed of properly.

[artemis]

I read the research document re humans & ragwort & boy is it toxic to humans.
I had a friend who died of liver failure in her 40's. Never been ill in her life, but she pulled ragwort with her bare hands!:eek:

[kturner]

Yes as someone mentioned. Burn it, because I offered some dry to my two and the mare turned her nose up but the fat little pony opened his mouth. Of course it was just an experiment, dont worry he didnt get any :eek:

When they are hungry they will eat it dry and sometimes it is in hay too. Make sure you know where your hay comes from.

[molly34]

There's gardening gloves on the shelves in the barn for that very purpose!
Yep, I found them :)
Had a dumb moment and rubbed my nose - with the gloves on - the other day though, d'oh!