I've not been bitten by any of my pachys, but I have had plenty of cactus spines impale themselves in my flesh. Sometimes the tips are in so deep, it is impossible to remove them. They hurt for several weeks until they work their way to the surface, or are absorbed. I think you left a small piece of spine behind when you removed it.

That leads to an inflammatory reaction to the foreign (not you) material still in your finger. Because the puncture is over a joint, the pain is more annoying and may make it difficult or impossible to remove the remaining plant material. However, it should eventually start to feel better. Unless there is a physical obstruction in the joint from any remaining spine, the pain is mostly caused by your own immune system attacking and absorbing the foreign matter. You should consider seeking professional medical advise if things don't start to get better soon.

Jill,

I had a similar experience last summer when a cactus spine pierced a knuckle joint. After about a week or so of redness, swelling, and localized fever in the knuckle, I saw an orthopod for xrays and there was nothing in the knuckle - no spine or infection... seems as if the spine poking into the knuckle (the spine stayed on the plant and never broke off) triggered a reaction similar to rheumatoid arthritis...
It cleared up by itself after a few weeks, yet still gives me occasional pain.

Peyton

rpw53 -

That is EXACTLY what I'm talking about - it does seem similar to rheumatoid arthritis.

Thanks for the info everyone! Guess I'll wait a little longer and see what happens. Love my Pachy - but man he hurts!

Jill

I'm suggest seeing a doctor... it may be infected. Everytime you break your natural barrier (aka skin), you are at increased risk for infection... something got in that's not supposed to be there... you may need some antibiotics and maybe even an X-ray to evaluate the bones to rule out osteomyelitis (bone infection).

Any injury to the crease in your fingers can very easily cause injury to the tendon or into the joint space. Tendons and joints don't have good blood supply so they heal slowly and don't fight off infection well. Go to a doctor and see if you can get a referral to a doctor who specializes in hand surgery. Speaking from experience they are alot more proactive when it comes to taking care of infections in fingers.

I've noticed a slight improvement the last couple of days, so maybe there's hope! I'd like to avoid going to the doctor if at all possible for financial reasons - but I certainly hope it's not something like bone infection!

Dear Jill,

That's good news. If you believe there's material from your Pachy left in your hand, try a bread and milk poultice - soak bread in milk and apply - it helps draw it out. Another suggestion is an epsom salt soak.

Pachypodiums are in the same Family as Oleander, Plumeria and Adenium. I know that all parts of the Oleander are poisonous, so I should think Pachys are, too, but to what degree I don't know.

The Family used to be called the Apocynaceae, and maybe still is. I think some taxonomist have combine the Asclepidaceae (the stink flowered family) with the Apocynaceae, based on flower and seed pod characteristics.

Below is a link to some more information.

Here is a link that might be useful: Doggone Dogbane

You guys must be sending me good vibes or something - my finger is much improved. It feels a lot better and even seems to be returning to a normal shape. Not that it was severely disfigured - just sort of odd like I was getting a touch of rheumatoid arthritis.

Thanks for the link Jeff - I really appreciate it. I didn't realize that Pachy's are in the same family as Oleander etc. - maybe someday I'll know that much about plants! I'm taking note of the poultice recipe in case I need it.

Here's to a pain-free relationship with my spiny and prickly friends! And yes, I do mean plants! ;)

Jill

During Thanksgiving weekend I was watering some plants in my front yard when the hose got a kink in it and I jerked it to loosen it and the inside of my wrist went full force into our 6' Pachypodium. Immediately it was swollen and felt as if the thorn was stuck in my wrist. I could not move it for about 3 days. After that it has never been the same. I can not bend it inward without a sharp pain like a needle sticking into the joint. It now has a quarter size bump there and I went and had a MRI which showed some cellulitis which is an infection. It also showed that I have a tear in the fibrocartilage which could have been caused by the thorn. I am in such pain and nothing seems to make it better. I am going to go to a specialist because I can not live like this.

mlapradd -

Wow - I hope you're doing better. I didn't have to go to a doctor like you have, but I almost did. Let us know how your are doing!

Jill

I got stuck in my forearm..it's extremely painful and swollen..

Was it from a pachypodium as well, and how long ago?

ez

Yes, from a pachypodium ...4 days ago .

Sounds like it could be a weeks long affair, sorry to hear. I've gotten poked from my p. saundersii, but never deeply and never with any lingering effects.

ez

My friend a scientist who specializes in plants gave me this. I've grown it from a tiny little plant, this is the first time being stuck by one of the thorns and it is extremely painful at the site and swollen still. I didn't think it was that deep of a prick but it must have had some pretty good toxin in it. If it's not better in a few days guess I'll see a doctor. Glad that your poke wasn't ingering like mine. I can barely use my right arm. Warning everyone and I know to be very careful with them.

But it's still a really cool plant and I do love it.

Here's my little guy, about 15 inches tall and as thick as a can of soda. Don't know if you can tell from this poor photo, but I cut off all the spines on the caudex for safer handling.

ez

We have two Pachypodium pines in our garden which are very big plants with very big thorns. I accidentally tripped whilst in the garden and ended up with two of the pine's thorns in my forehead. I pulled them out and at the time I thought that was it. However, I consulted a doctor and had a scan done as lumps that came up on my forehead where the thorns had penetrated. I went to my doctor and she ordered a scan of my forehead and the lumps. The doctor assured me that there was nothing in the lumps and nothing more could be done. However, it is now five years since this happened, the lumps have not bothered me as my hair covers them, but they stayed, they were not sore at this stage, but lately they have become a bit sore and painful. Can anyone else let me know if these lumps can be taken out or are they just to be left as the doctor advised?

Wow...today i had the back of my right hand come into contact with one of my pachy plants. Didn't think much if it at the time until several hours later when my hand started to ache and swell and my fingers started to stiffen. Have had my pachys for 16 +years and this is the first time I've had a reaction like this even though I have previously had some nice long pachy scratches on my forearms. I hadn't realised before today that the thorns can give you a nasty reaction. Also discovered hat the sap is toxic to pets and children.