To the attention of local authorities – cow parsnip on Studentska embankment (PHOTOS, TIPS)

In Uzhgorod, the war with cow parsnip on one of the fronts is lost. Although, we must admit, most of embankments (where the dangerous plant likes to settle) are clean, Studentska embankment is like a cow parsnip reservation.

What is most sad is that this embankment would be the best place for the city residents to have rest at the river. However, some people disregard the danger, they sunbathe right under a cow parsnip…

Also this embankment leads to the main children establishment of the city and, in fact, of the region – the Transcarpathian Regional Palace of Children and Youth Creativity "Padiyun." Besides the fact that it is visited daily by many children, now about 70 children stay at the children’s camp at the Palace. In most cases, children know that cow parsnip is a dangerous plant, and it can burn the skin, because teachers explain them, but as they say in the Palace, it is a shame that they can not go down to the water, and not always they can warn children from walking on the embankment…

   This plant, due to its great mass, displaces other species of flora from the territory and fully covers its area of ​​growth. It easily adapts to any condition, it’s not afraid of frost or drought, grows on any soil. Cow parsnip seeds are spread by wind and water.     The plant can cause irritation and burns to the skin, and cow parsnip is particularly dangerous during flowering.

It causes a photochemical burn that appears after ultraviolet irradiation of the skin affected by cow parsnip juice. In about an hour after the contact, that spot becomes red, itching begins, and the next day, swelling and blisters filled with light-yellow liquid appear. There may be allergic reactions, fever, and nausea. If you accidentally touched the cow parsnip and immediately noticed it, first of all, cover the affected area from the sun, and as soon as possible rinse it under running water to remove the caustic sap. Then, cover the spot with aseptic tissue. If you manage to avoid irradiation with ultraviolet light for 2-3 days, the burn may not appear (but remember that the sun’s rays penetrate even through the fabric).

To prevent the spread, cow parsnip must be regularly mowed in the certain period of vegetation, as well as treated with herbicides.