Cactus/milky white substance from cactus
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Question
Yesterday I cut down my cactus which emitted a milky white substance. This substance sprayed onto my skin and this morning I woke up with itching blotches. Is this fluid toxic? Should I see a doctor? What can I do to treat these spots? They are driving me crazy!
Linda,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. What you have is a Euphorbia, not a cactus. Mostly it is an irritant, unless you have a large Euphorbia virosa. You may want to see a doctor just in case (to help with the irritation). The Euphorbia I mentioned is very rare and the one I have I had to get from a nursery in Switzerland, so chances are you do not have that plant.
Hope this helps.
Greg
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| Comment | Couldn't wait to hear back from you so treated myself with alcohol scrubs and Benadril. As of today, one week later all the irration has cleared up except a lingering spot near my eyebrow. These seem to me to have burned my skin as now the areas are peeling. But thanks for getting back to me. | ||
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Greg Simpson
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding planting, transplanting, care, propagating, identification and general information. The questions can be about cacti and other succulents from North and South America and Africa.
Experience
Collecting cactus and succulents since 1974.
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