(HealthDayNews) -- Living in or visiting a desert environment such as Arizona's can be a fascinating experience but a dangerous one, if you're not careful.
Deserts have numerous, special hazards, particularly in the hot summer
months. Among them, notes the University Medical Center, at the University of Arizona's Tucson campus, are cacti and other plants.
Cacti
While most people try to keep their distance from cacti, playing children sometimes don't -- and end up with a cactus spine imbedded in a foot, hand or another area of the body.
The best way to pull a spine out is with a tweezers, cellophane tape or a fine-toothed comb, being careful not to break off the spine. To get out smaller spines that may not even be visible to the eye, apply a thick layer of household glue (such as Elmer's) and let it dry. As the glue is peeled off, the spines come out. Apply antiseptic to the puncture wound. Watch carefully for redness or swelling, which may indicate an infection from fungus on the spines.
Plants
Many poisonous plants found in Southern Arizona are frequently used in landscaping. Oleanders are among the most popular and beautiful landscaping shrubs, but their long narrow leaves and brightly colored flowers (red, pink or white) are extremely poisonous.
Don't let young children spend time near this plant. A toddler might chew the leaves or suck the flower nectar. And never use the branches for barbeque kindling or skewers.
These forms of contact all cause the same series of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, drowsiness and convulsions. Contact can be fatal within 24 hours.
The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center recommends that anyone who ingests or suspects that they may have been exposed to oleander, seek help immediately. Don't wait for symptoms to occur.
