Succulents are very unique plants. For a lazy plant lover, succulents such as cacti are the best plants to adorn your home or office space.
They may not have the usual beautiful attributes of lilies or roses, but they have unique features. If you do decide to have a cactus in your home, you should know that;
– They do not have any leaves, so there will not be any wilted or shed leaves falling on your floors.
– Cacti have spines or thorns, which help reduce water loss and aid with photosynthesis. That means you can go on long trips and not worry since you do not need to water them as regularly as you would other plants.
– The best part is that they come in various colors, have different sizes and shapes, and are pretty fragrant, too.
Source: My Own Amazing Body
Having a cactus in your space can spruce up the whole ambiance, but here are some characteristics you must take note of to protect yourself and your family from harm.
Hazardous Characteristics of Cacti
- Their spines tend to be prickly – Any cacti parent should understand how painful this can be. The spines of the cactus amplify the plant’s appeal immensely, but it tends to prick the skin. So, you have to be very careful.
- Some spines dissolve in your skin, and some do not. One fateful day, that prickly spine may get buried in your skin. If you were wondering if the spines eventually dissolve or break down, yes, some do, and some do not. It all depends on the type of needle and how deep they got in. The best thing to do is immediately remove the spines when they get into your skin. If you do not, you may end up with some complications.
- Complications that may occur from cacti spines in the skin – Leaving a cacti spine embedded in your skin gives way to bacteria, which could lead to pain or swelling around the area. It could cause a puss ball to form under your skin in severe cases. It can also cause allergic reactions on the skin. To avoid any of these scenarios, it would be best if you removed the needle immediately and entirely.
- You could get poisoned: Yes, there is such a thing as poisonous cacti. It is not advisable to have that species of cacti at home. So, be mindful when purchasing your cactus. Ask all the necessary questions and make sure it is not poisonous.
How to get tiny cactus needles out of the skin
You may be lucky when a cactus needle gets into your skin, and the needle will not go in deep. It is just a matter of using your fingers or a tweezer to pull it out gently but if it is embedded too deeply in your skin, you can use any of these methods;
- Comb: You can use a fine-toothed comb to comb the area that was pierced gently.
- Nylon pantyhose or stockings: Rub the pantyhose or stocking on the area to remove the spine
- Rubber cement glue: Rub a thin layer of the glue on the pierced area. When the glue dries, gently peel it off. It should come off with the needle.
- Using a tweezer and a Magnifying glass is suitable if a much smaller needle pricks you. Wash the area first with soapy water, preferably warm. Please focus on the area that was pierced using the magnifying glass and aim for it gently with the needle. Remember to be slow and gentle.
If any of the abovementioned methods do not work, it is best to seek medical assistance.
Cacti are fascinating plants with their unique features. They serve as lovely greenery for your home and office space. However, you must be careful around them. Be extra cautious, especially if you have crawling babies or pets.
