Teenager weeding garden left with severe burns after touching toxic plant

Working among plants in a garden may seem harmless but sometimes there can be grave consequences if one isn’t careful. There are certain extremely toxic plants which can instantly make people regret their decision to casually weed their garden.

A 17-year-old from Virginia never imagined the trauma gardening for a summer job would cause him. He was weeding the garden when he unknowingly touched a hogweed which is a toxic plant capable of causing blindness and blistering.

The teenager was left with severe third degree burns all over his face and arms after touching the plant. He initially thought it was sunburn, but his skin started peeling off when he got in the shower.

He was later taken to a hospital where he became the first person to be diagnosed with the condition at the facility. A single touch of the plant can cause painful blisters and make the skin sensitive to the sun for years.