Milkweed Hazards

9 years ago

I picked some for my remaining cat the other night. I did wash my hands, but I wasn't very thorough about it. I was more concerned about getting the tiny bugs off me. I took my contacts out and my eyes burned a little. I thought it was a combination of old contacts and allergies. I went to sleep right after that. When I woke up yesterday morning, my vision was blurred in my right eye. Fortunately, my optometrist has Saturday appointments and got me right in. The milkweed had irritated my cornea. I was able to buy some over the counter drops that are helping to remove the excess water in the cornea. Most of my vision is back today.

I know this is in the FAQs, but I wanted to post it again as a warning for others. Make sure you wash your hands really well after handling milkweed.

Comments (9)

catherinet
9 years ago
Hmmmm.....I didn't know this! Thanks for the warning, and I'm glad you're okay!
Michaela (Zone 5b - Iowa)
9 years ago
Wow.. never would have even thought about it. Thanks for the warning and glad you are okay!
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linda_tx8
9 years ago
Something like this once happened to me, except no burning that day. It caused eye irritation and a decrease in vision, kind of like some film over the eyes. Very scary, saw an eye doctor and was given some prescription drops and ointment for corneal damage.
molanic
9 years ago
I'm lucky that I had read about this when I first started growing milkweed before I starting collecting it to feed cats. I was probably overly cautious repeating to myself "don't touch your face and wash your hands well."

I wish I had the same caution when I first started collecting seeds. I had some of those little ornamental peppers that turn all different colors. Being of Norwegian and German descent my family is not well versed in hot peppers. I was digging the seeds out of the peppers with my bare hands when my nose started to run... and so I blew it. Big mistake! My nose and lips were instantly on fire and my eyes started to burn. I scrubbed my hands with soap and water and tried washing it off my face, but that just made it spread more. Thank god there was someone else there to take my contact lenses out for me. I was too afraid to try and put them back in for a couple of days. Lesson learned!
Leafhead
9 years ago
Use milk, yogurt or sour cream to neutralize the burning. Dairy somehow neutralizes the pepper.
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
8 years ago
As I sit here with a burning, blurry left eye....don't forget to wash your hands after handling milkweed. It's allergy season here and my eyes are itchy anyway. Just glad I only rubbed my LEFT eye!!
colcol
8 years ago
Thank you so much for the info. I'm wanting to add some next spring!
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
8 years ago
Have my 1-week follow-up for a corneal burn today. My vision was back in 3 days, but I still feel like my eyeball and the tissue around it is a little swollen!
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
8 years ago
Dr. confirmed that the damage won't be permanent. I still have some corneal edema and the tissue around my eye is swollen, but he said that I should be doing much better in 4-5 days. YAY