A Dundee dad says his son was forced to miss school after coming into contact with a poisonous plant.
Tom Bruce, of William Fitzgerald Way, said his son Ryan (11) sustained severe blisters after coming into contact with what he believes is giant hogweed.
Ryan had been enjoying the recent sunshine with friends on a grassy area between the Emmock Woods and Trottick.
However, after later complaining of skin irritations the youngster has been forced to take time off classes and attend hospital in a bid to cure the problem.
School teacher Tom told The Courier: ”Ryan came home after being out with his friends and a couple of hours later he started to complain about these blisters on his hands and arms.
”He also had one on his face and within 24 hours they had gone blotchy and were filled with pus.
”They are really large three or four inches long and we took him to the hospital. They said they had seen it before and that they were likely to be caused by giant hogweed.
”It’s been so sore for him that he’s even had to miss school.”
Giant hogweed is well known for its poisonous properties.
Brought to Britain as an ornamental plant in the 19th century, it is now widespread throughout the country, particularly on riverbanks.
Sap from it can cause human skin to discolour and become itchy, turning to blisters which can eventually lead to scarring.
Should sap come into contact with the eyes then it can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.
Courses in removing giant hogweed were on offer in Dundee last month as the plant’s troublesome reputation continues to spread.
Tom added: ”We don’t know if Ryan will be scarred yet but he has been given antibiotics for now.
”Apparently giant hogweed is well known for being poisonous and while I haven’t seen it myself, the people at the hospital said that it was the most likely cause.”
The area of land where Ryan is believed to have come into contact with the plant is maintained by Dundee City Council.
A spokesman for the local authority said they had received no reports of giant hogweed in the area but would be sending a team to survey the site and destroy any if found.