Blackthorns

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Aniseed

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I can remember reading a post in here a while ago about getting rid of blackthorns stuck in horses but what do you advise in humans? I think I have one stuck in my knee from hunting on Mon but it is too far below the surface to get out with a needle and I have been putting magnesium sulphate on since Mon to try and draw it out with no luck. I'm a bit worried that it may go nasty and a couple of people have said that blackthorns are poisonous.
 
Blackthorn's are very likely to go nasty (sorry not what you wanted to hear) we've just spent over £2K for one stuck in a dog's paw :o

If it is still visible then i would make an appointment with your DR surgery nurse or pop to minor injuries and they will dig it out for you. Not wise to leave it as you can get blood poisoning
 
I wouldn't worry about it too much - I had one in the side of my knee a few years ago - it stayed there for several weeks, was a little sore and red but got no worse. Eventually popped out all on its own while I was in the bath!
 
If it is a blackthorn I would err on the side of caution and go to surgery and have it dug out. Tell Dr. horse horror stories in case they don't believe you. I know a horse that died through complications from a blackthorn.
 
get a magnesium sulphate (epsom salts) and glycerin paste (or make one) and cover the site with it, and put a hot damp flannel over it. keep the flannel as hot as you can bear for 10 mins at least and the thorn should come to the top so you can remove it with tweezers.
 
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