An article published in UK journal Clinical Otolaryngology outlines the injuries, which mostly include a perforated eardrum and in a few cases, the yucca … will this help ? Many agaves thrive in temperate climates, like the squid agave (Agave bracteosa) with its curving succulent leaves that prefers USDA zones 8 though 11, or the century plant (Agave americana) that thrives in USDA zones 8 though 10. One of the main yucca plant characteristics are its spiky leaves, so you can probably see where this is going. Dr. Stevens, Ophthalmologist. Eye injury has been caused by the short black spine at the leaf tip (Morton 1977). Often a yucca injury with be tender for a week or longer as the body recovers. "We had repeated episodes of people coming in after they were gardening or handling their yucca plant.". What would impeachment mean for US President Donald Trump? Most of the other plants are smaller shrubs or groundcover-type perennials: some are evergreen, some are herbaceous perennials, and a couple are annuals. If you are a full-time desert dweller or just an occasional dry lands visitor, remember to watch out for our flora and fauna! He warned gardeners to wear protective clothing, including gloves and a wide-brimmed hat, and to remain aware at all times. If sap does get into the eye, wash the eye with water immediately, McVeigh advises. Three new coronavirus cases have been detected in NSW in the 24 hours to 8:00pm last night. Often a yucca injury with be tender for a week or longer as the body recovers. Among this ecology, the sharp tips and edges of blade-like yucca leaves are unique in their heartiness and the damage they can do. If you would like a second yucca plant or are concerned your plant my die, you might want to propagate it. Most often, the condition will be classifiable to Chapter 19, Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes . Even the Best-Laid Plants. Put on gloves and goggles before working with yucca plants to spare your hands and eyes from injury. In Melbourne, yucca is used frequently as a non-native accent plant, well adapted to Australia’s climate. Kanerva et al. Yucca aloifolia L. Spanish Bayonet. Container cultivation. However, the popularity of the plant may be responsible for the frequency of yucca-related bodily injuries. Yucca is a genus of perennial shrubs and trees in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae. Some are due to sports injuries while others, like Kevin's, are blamed on outside work. yucca plant stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Dr. Colleen Halfpenny says they see a spike in the number of eye injuries when the weather gets warm. Doctors have seen a rise in gardening accidents associated with yucca plants. I planted the Soft Leaf Yucca, Yucca recurvifolia and the Red Yucca, Hesperaloe parviflora as anchor plants in this bed because they are both evergreen and grow to respectable sizes. For the past decade, Ron has contributed to the community through leadership roles in the Tucson Downtown Lions Club. Unfortunately, yucca punctures can deliver some of the plant’s toxic chemicals, called “saponins” directly into the body sometimes provoking a reaction, complicating recovery and damaging red blood cells in the area. Most of the uses are as might be expected for plants with irritant properties. International arrivals cap has been slashed. Attention Needed by Yucca Filifera. Gardeners and residents should take care however – a new Australian study has found that the razor-sharp tips of yucca plants can cause lasting ear and hearing damage. AGAVACEAE (Agave or Century Plant family) • Medicinal / Folk-medicinal aspects: Folk-medicinal uses as externally-applied remedies of the prepared leaf, the fresh juice, the concentrated sap, and a polysaccharide gum that exudes from the leaves and roots have been documented for certain Agave species. Share this conversation. Often, injuries to the ossicles leave a lasting impairment to a person’s hearing. I regularly get embedded spines from cacti but rarely from yucca. Eye injury has been caused by the short black spine at the leaf tip (Morton 1977). Yucca plants are appreciated for the tropical look they give to a room. "They can take a lot of drought, a lot of neglect, and they look really evergreen so they're really good for a dry Australian climate," he said. Two weeks ago, I walked into a yucca plant and it stabbed me by my ankle. What should you do to avoid yucca injuries? "Before you know it, because yuccas are so resilient, you've got a plantation of yuccas growing.". "I know it's very enjoyable and you can get into the groove very quickly, but you can't garden if you're injured.". Cutting low tips off the plants helps protect children and pets from accidents. (2001) observed positive skin prick tests to this plant in two individuals who presented with occupational contact urticaria. Those same spikey leaves that keep off rabbits and deer can easily cause an eye injury or even enter the ear canal, the slender leaves easily piercing the ear drum. What should we do?" If your Yucca plant did bloom at this time last year but is not blooming this year, compare this year’s weather with last year, and you may have your answer. A minor eye injury, like getting poked in the eye, can have a fast recovery, or it could result in serious complications. When ingested by animals, clinical signs of drooling, vomiting, weakness, incoordination and dilated pupils (cats) may be seen. Yucca punctures that don’t harm the middle ear can still leave a mark. Unfortunately no. Other conditions that may be stated to be due to external causes are classified in Chapters I to XVIII. Add 20-30 percent by volume of extra grit to John Innes No 2 for good drainage. Brush up against a yucca plant and you won’t forget it. A yucca injury can happen fast. Locate a healthy baby with well-developed, fully green foliage. In a five-year period, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital had 28 patients who suffered ear trauma after an encounter with the evergreen shrub. While the pointed tips of yucca often make people cautious to keep the plant clear from their eyes, they are less conscientious when it came to the plant tips near the sides of their heads. Search for more papers by this author Yucca elephantipes is a great patio and house plant, it has a great architectural form, and its growth habit is mostly upright, rather than spreading - so it does not tend to have a huge footprint on the patio or in interior spaces. Consider a yucca supplement for a dog with digestive problems that prevent him from properly utilizing his already top-quality diet, or for a dog with arthritis. Kanerva et al. While punctures sustained by the eardrum (also called the tympanic membrane) are painful, with time and care it is possible for the perforation to heal. 50+ PERFECTLY PET-FRIENDLY PLANTS . Eye Doctor: Dr. Stevens, Ophthalmologist replied 10 years ago. Typically, when dogs and cats ingest yucca… The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is warning gardeners to be careful around yucca plants after a spike in ear injuries caused by the plant being seen in the Emergency Department, in some cases leading to hearing loss. Native to dry regions of North and Central America and the Caribbean, yucca plants are popular as architectural plants in landscaped gardens. Yucca aloifolia L. Spanish Bayonet. Step 2 Remove the babies from a healthy, mature yucca plant in autumn when the plant is beginning its winter dormancy. Just getting started? Often people miss seeing a sharp blade as they turn their head. 3. If you plan on digging them out all together, be extremely careful. Place in full light, water freely during the growing season from April to September and apply a balanced liquid feed fortnightly. Ron Middleton March 2, 2018 Ear Health, Hearing Health, News and Science. Mon – Thurs: 8:30am – 4:30pm Give sharp plants a wide berth and make sure you aren’t in harms way before turning or lifting your head. Yucca's are a brilliant plant - look good and survive in drought-like conditions. Straight, sharp yucca blades at the right angle can stab into the ear canal and perforate the eardrum. The flowers,or sometimes called Yucca bulbs, grow in the late spring and are moist. As mentioned earlier, water properly along with fertilizing and pruning will help encourage your Yucca plant to bloom. This plant is more dangerous to large animals that are chronically grazing (eating) on this plant. A minor eye injury, like getting poked in the eye, can have a fast recovery, or it could result in serious complications. 20 years on, the owner wants the land back, I was overweight, my thinking felt slow and my sons called me 'Fatty'. Over a five-year period 28 patients presented to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne with ear injuries caused by the spikey plant, according to a study published in the UK journal Clinical Otolaryngology. Celebrate World Alzheimer’s Month with a Hearing Test! Eye and ear protection might be indicated when tending this well-armored plant. Kalanchoes are succulent flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae and are on the ASPCAs top ten most common toxic plant list. The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital have seen several cases of yucca-related injuries, most of which have involved a perforated eardrum. Ron has been a part of the Lifestyle team helping people hear better since 2005. My yuccas are all fairly ‘soft’ leaved, too, except for Yucca rigida, so most are not serious sources of potential pain or injury… but even the softer leaved plants have very sharp leaf-tips and most of these yuccas have lots of leaves making the spines harder to avoid than, let’s say, and agave of similar size. In New Zealand, ACC statistics showed the yucca plant had caused an average of 28 ear injuries per year over the past five years, costing the taxpayer a total of $157,521 in claims. These plants mean business (Alex Juel/Flickr/CC BY 2.0) According to doctors from The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, if you have a bunch of these oversized pin cushions in your garden, you can risk hearing loss unless you're careful around them. Yucca spines can penetrate deeper than the eardrum, however. If you have a corneal abrasion, you'll probably be in a great deal of pain. He said one in seven of those cases resulted in the patient suffering permanent hearing loss. Their size and precision though make it extremely difficult for the bones to mend correctly if damaged. The spike of a yucca plant can often plunge to the level of bone and when removed leave a small, pinprick-like wound. Over a five-year period 28 patients presented to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne with ear injuries caused by the spikey plant, according to a study published in the UK journal Clinical Otolaryngology. These plants do have significant toxicity that is far and above just about anything else in that family (most Crassulaceas are considered non-toxic). Saponins are soap-like compounds and hemolytic is something that damages red blood cells. Hearing Aids Keep You Happy, Healthy, and Wealthy, Adults with Hearing Loss at Higher Risk for Unemployment. The common Yucca plant cannot harm just by poking.Yucca plants are safer than many cacti which have bristles and pinch even if you touch them accidently. In Tucson’s vibrant desert landscape, the dramatic silhouette of the yucca plant makes it a striking addition to any drought tolerant garden. One of the main yucca plant characteristics are its spiky leaves, so you can probably see where this is going. Attention Needed by Yucca Filifera. In New Zealand, ACC statistics showed the yucca plant had caused an average of 28 ear injuries per year over the past five years, costing the taxpayer a total of $157,521 in claims. All those cases have been linked to the Berala cluster, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and health authorities are giving an update on the state's COVID-19 situation, Follow our live coverage for the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic. My mother just got stabbed in the eye with the tip of a yucca plant and it's not bleeding or anything, but she said it hurts really badly and she can't see well (she said something about it being really bright/blurry). Our specialists offer Tucson’s best hearing solutions from complete testing to professional hearing aid fittings and adjustments. The fashionable yucca plant is to blame for a spike in gardening-related ear injuries, new research has found. Some of the Arizona desert’s most striking colors come from thornless shrubs like the beautiful scarlet sprays of the chuparosa plant or the Baja fairy duster bush. Fri: 8:30am – 1pm, Tips to Help Your Hearing Aids Last Longer, Tips for a Successful Virtual Family Reunion, ADA at 30. The yucca is the only plant to be involved in injuries presenting to the hospital (which often sees eye trauma from magpie attacks). When you have an issue with your hearing, Lifestyle Hearing Solutions can help. The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital have seen several cases of yucca-related injuries, most of which have involved a perforated eardrum. 2. Blooming palm tree yucca. They're the striking spiky desert plant loved by Australians in their gardens, but surgeons are warning yuccas have been responsible for a number of injuries resulting in deafness. How yucca plant spines can hurt you, your pets. It is highly resistant to drought, and tends to be very forgiving of missed waterings and other issues. 1. Today is 1/2/11. Over a five-year period, 28 patients were admitted to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne for ear injuries involving yucca blades. The Bacitracin was unopened and had been refrigerated since I got it, but the exp date is May 2005. Department of Surgery – Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Patrick Honan, a horticulturalist with ABC's Gardening Australia, said the yucca's resilience had seen it become "almost ubiquitous" in Australian gardens. So what does it mean if you've got a flight booked? Use yucca for four days, and then discontinue for three days. Saponins in yucca spines can often cause sensitivity and swelling in the area around a puncture. These plants mean business ( Alex Juel/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 ) According to doctors from The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, if you have a bunch of these oversized pin cushions in your garden, you can risk hearing loss unless you're careful around them. An on-and-off-again schedule will help prevent irritation of digestive tissues. Maureen Gilmer . Check out our quick guide to better hearing. Good luck - I hoped I helped: - ) Good luck - I hoped I helped: - ) You can also try gardening with less injurious alternatives. Saponins in yucca spines can often cause sensitivity and swelling in the area around a puncture. I washed it with eye wash and followed with some tobramycin drops. From the sharp spines of the organ pipe and saguaro cacti to the spiny thorns of an ocotillo or the fine, hooklike needles of a jumping cholla cactus, there are plenty of sharp ways the desert flora says “don’t touch me”. I adopted Lotus Moonflower from the Palm Springs ASPCA years … When yucca roots were beaten into a salve, the salve … Yucca Plant puncture wound. An article published in UK journal Clinical Otolaryngology outlines the injuries, which mostly include a perforated eardrum and in a few cases, the yucca penetrated the inner ear. Once a spine is has crossed through the tympanic membrane, the tiny and delicate bones of the middle ear can be reached and broken. The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is urging people to be more careful around yucca plants following at least 28 injuries since 2012. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Elche. You may also find it difficult to hold your eye open, and doing so may result in excessive tearing. The fashionable yucca plant is to blame for a spike in gardening-related ear injuries, new research has found. View Comments. Before joining our team, Ron served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years. When the weather gets warm, we usually see more injuries - including eye injuries. Eye and ear protection might be indicated when tending this well-armored plant. The desert is full of plants with robust natural defenses. This Joshua Tree blossom was photographed at the Split Rock area in Joshua Tree National Park, California. It is readily identified by it's stalk and flowers (see photo at right). (2001) observed positive skin prick tests to this plant in two individuals who presented with occupational contact urticaria. Professor O'Leary said the inner ear was an "incredibly delicate structure" that was notoriously difficult to treat, and any injury should be seen to quickly by an ENT surgeon. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), Live: Greater Brisbane residents 'to be rewarded for their sacrifice' with end to lockdown, Brisbane lockdown to be lifted but some restrictions to remain, NSW records three new COVID-19 cases linked to Berala cluster, Live: Australia hunting wickets on final day to win SCG Test, Democrats may wait 100 days into Joe Biden's presidency to impeach Donald Trump, Mother and three children who died in Melbourne house fire identified as police investigate, Alleged abuse of Mohammed Siraj is Australia's embarrassment, Kohli calls for 'strict' action against any supporter found to have made racial slurs. "It was a bit of a surprise to us," he told ABC Radio Melbourne. 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