This summer is shaping up to he a hot one, with the second major heat wave to sweep over the central and eastern parts of the country. Where I live in northern Kentucky and just south of Cincinnati, Ohio, May was the hottest month on record and at the time of this writing, we are looking at another week of above normal high temperatures.

Many people are going to be spending time at the pool, streams, rivers, lakes and beaches, placing many people in danger of getting too much sun. Sunburns can ruin a vacation or even a large part of the summer if the burn is bad enough. It’s strongly advised that people lather up with sunscreen to prevent burns and reduce chances of developing skin cancer. Make sure you get the right type of sunscreen with a sufficient SPF rating. Most Dermatologists recommend an SPF of 15 or 30 and to reapply it on a regular basis if you are outside for any length of time.

With all of the concern about sunburns, people, especially parents, need to be aware of a weed that is spreading in the US that can cause severe sunburns and even vision loss.

“The giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a towering weed that can cause vision loss and intense burns. But no, this poisonous plant doesn’t come from Professor Sprout’s botany syllabus at Hogwarts; instead, it’s very real and was recently identified in Virginia, according to news reports.”

It’s not just found in Virginia, but has been identified in New England, the mid-Atlantic and Northwest regions of the country.

It’s called giant hogweed because this particularly nasty weed can grow to over 14 feet in height. The white flower clusters on top look like a collection of umbrellas, making the weed attractive to kids who may tend to break off the weed and carry it around like an umbrella, but if they do, they are placing themselves in grave danger.

Not only is the sap poisonous, but the sap contains compounds known as photosensitizing furanocoumarins. When these compounds get on the skin, they strip the skin’s ability to protect the body from harmful UV rays. Sunlight activates these compounds which can and does lead to severe sunburns. If the compounds in the sap get any moisture in conjunction with the sunlight, the resulting sunburn can be more intense and cause more damage and blistering of the skin.

According to a report,

“The medical term for this type of burn is ‘phytophotodermatitis,’ a skin condition caused by extreme sensitivity to sunlight. ‘It’s pretty horrific,’ Metzgar told Live Science. ‘It causes pretty severe burns …  worse than [the typical] sunburn’.”

“Phytophotodermatitis can also cause rashes, painful blisters, scarring and long-term sensitivity to sunlight, Lampman said. And if the sap gets into the eye, the toxins lead to vision loss.”

Joellen Lampman, an educator with the New York State Integrated Pest Management program at Cornell University warned:

“What’s really scary about this one is the impacts it could have on children. It … kind of looks like an umbrella, so you can envision children seeing that and breaking [the plant] off and carrying it around with them.”

So, what do you do if you think you or your kids have come in contact with the sap of a giant hogweed?

As soon as possible, wash with soap and water. Stay away from direct sunlight for at least 48 hours and seek medical attention. This is why parents need to start paying more attention when their kids are playing outside. Look up giant hogweed on the internet and get familiar with what it looks like. It’s probably a good idea to show your kids what it looks like and tell them the plant is VERY dangerous and to not touch it. A little education can save them from the long-term effects of this noxious weed.