What Causes Nettles to Sting?

The nettles of the edges of the road … With the arrival of sunny days, one can be strongly tempted to make good walks in fields and forests. We come across different flowers and plants, it smells good, the birds sing, our pegs delicately border on this nature … And there … It's the drama! The last plant that we have just brushed was an nettle and now we have the burning legs, bite, that scratch … What to do? Why do these plants cause such reactions?

In France, there are four species: large nettle (Urtica Dioica) which is the most abundant, burning nettle (Urens urtica), nettle with pills or Roman nettle (Urtica Pilulifera) present in the south and to the west as well as the atrovirens nettle (Urtica Atrovirens) present only in Corsica (endemic).
Most like terrain rich in nitrogen.

We may not always notice it, but nettles are flower plants. Depending on the species, male flowers and female flowers will either be on the same feet, or on different feet.
They can be differentiated according to their color and their shape. Indeed, the female flowers are hanging and greenish in color, with some purple reflections. On the other hand, the male flowers are spread out and yellowish.

Nettles represent different species, however, they all have the same common point. All are entirely covered with stinging hairs … and that's our whole problem!

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Why do these plants bite?

The nettle leaves could almost assimilate miniature syringes. Or rather, the tip of the leaves. This can be seen very well when you look at these leaves with a magnifying tool, such as a magnifying glass or a microscope.
We then see that the leaves have hairs, so far nothing worrying. However, these hollow and transparent hairs have a sort of spike at their point, almost a dart. At the base of these hairs, there is also a bulge. This “dart” and this bulge are the enemies of our walks in the undergrowth …

Yes, just a little touch of the nettle leaves to activate the defense mechanism. The friction of the leaves leads the “dart”, in reality a hint of silica (the constituent of sand), to prick himself in the skin. This tip is then breaking and the stinging liquid, contained in the bulge of the hairs, can flow inside the latter, even on the end of flesh left naked on our leg …
Contrary to what we think, this stinging liquid does not contain formal acid, present in the venom of ants. It is a cocktail of compounds, including histamine, which causes itching and redness.

This is where our nightmare begins (yes I exaggerate a little, but frankly, it spoils the relaxing moment of nature). Nettle bites cause different symptoms and the intensity of pain varies depending on people.
Often, we feel tingling, localized itching, a burning sensation … Red plates or bulbs and blisters can also appear.
These symptoms are triggered almost immediately after contact and can last from half an hour to a few days. Besides, health professionals advise to consult if the burning sensation persists more than a day.

Rest assured, even if these bites are annoying, in France, they are not dangerous. Finally, if our contacts with the nettles remain moderate and if there are no cases of strong allergies.
On the other hand, some tropical nettles can cause sometimes dangerous symptoms. This is particularly the case with the South American fire plant that causes edema.

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How to relieve the stings of nettles?

Against the effects of nettles, everyone goes from their remedy as a grandmother. The most common is to rub the area with a plantain leaf. Indeed, the substances that the leaves contain inhibit the release of histamine from the nettles, which therefore relieves burns. The plant would also be effective against mosquito or bee bites.
In addition to this plant, the effects of which seem rather effective, other people advise the use of saliva, even urine … There, the efficiency is less sure!

If the discomfort is too large and the grandmother's remedies do not work, you can apply a protocol closer to that of injury treatment.
First, rinse the area that was in contact with nettles. You can use physiological water or serum, however avoid rubbing the stung area.

Then remove the stinging hairs anchored in the skin. It must be done gently, so as not to break them. Some use adhesive tape and remove it with a dry blow, like a strip of epilatory wax. You can use very fine soil and rub the affected area while blowing lightly on it. This will allow you to get the hair.
Finally, you can disinfect the area and if necessary apply a soothing cream.

Plantain leaves can relieve burns when it rubs them on the contact area.
Credits: Shutterstock/Tamu1500

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But what can nettles be used for?

Aside from spoiling our walks? If, if, like all species of flora and fauna, nettles have an interest! And even several!

First of all, it is a real home for fauna, especially fuel insects. Birds and ladybugs also use pantry, given the abundance of succulent insects!
Some herbivores even appreciate eating the plant, rich in vitamins.

For us too, the nettles are good! The leaves are edible and rich in vitamins A and C. They can be eaten raw, in salad, or cooked in soup or even gratins. To pick them, it is better to wear gloves! The rain is ultimately not a great help, certainly the nettles burn less, but they still burn …

The plant also has an economic interest. Today, we still use it to make the paper on which the banknotes are printed.
Nettles also have therapeutic virtues and they are written on the list of medicinal plants by the French pharmacopoeia. The plant has several effects against osteoarthritis, acne … Nettles are diuretic and astringent, they fight against hair loss, even against skin diseases.

So, yes, we avoid nettles on the paths, but we do not forget that these plants are of public interest!

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