Urticating Hair - Human Reactions To Urticating Hair Contact

Human Reactions To Urticating Hair Contact

In humans a defensive cloud of urticating hairs can cause allergic skin reactions which can manifest as inflammation, rash and/or itching. The reactions can last for several hours or days. A chemical influence upon the skin and mucous membranes explains the different reactions of people to urticating hairs (Rick West, 2002).

It seems likely the hairs cause an accumulative reaction in people.

A solution of 2–2.5% hydrocortisone cream applied to the affected area may help relieve the symptoms.

A more serious consequence is urticating hair in the eyes. Ophthalmia nodosa, an irritation reaction, can result when the barbed hairs lodge in the cornea. In this case it is necessary to immediately wash the eye thoroughly with copious amounts of cold water and see an ophthalmologist. Handlers are advised to wear eye protection.

Read more about this topic:  Urticating Hair

Famous quotes containing the words human, reactions, hair and/or contact:

    Worst of all, there is no sign of any relaxation of antisemitism. Logically it has nothing to do with Fascism. But the human race is imitative rather than logical; and as Fascism spreads antisemitism spreads.
    George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)

    Prolonged, indiscriminate reviewing of books is a quite exceptionally thankless, irritating and exhausting job. It not only involves praising trash but constantly inventing reactions towards books about which one has no spontaneous feeling whatever.
    George Orwell (1903–1950)

    Her face is like the moon.
    Her mouth tastes like the drink of life.
    Her wild, hot kiss
    with a pull of her hair ...
    what’s THAT like?
    Hla Stavhana (c. 50 A.D.)

    It is only when men lose their contact with this eternal life-flame, and become merely personal, things in themselves, instead of things kindled in the flame, that the fight between man and woman begins.
    —D.H. (David Herbert)