Stung by stinging nettle - worried :-/

[Dziga]

Hi, I'm 20 weeks pregnant & I have just been stung by a stinging nettle - should I be worried????? Thanks.

don't think so as long as you don't have unusual allergies and the symptoms are the same as whenever you have been stung before by a nettle, ie locally itchy/spots. if you are worried though, phone nhs direct

What are you worried about?

You shouldn't ingest nettle at this stage as it's thought to be linked to uterine stimulation but if you're not allergic to them, a sting is just a sting and annoying/sore but nothing to worry about.

Thanks - I am a worrier at the best of times and appreciate the reassurance :)

I got stung at least twice a week throughtout both pregnancies (keen gardener)

It's a very local reaction that's confined to you skin! Essentially stinging nettles just have very fine hairs that irritate the skin. They don't release any venom/poison of any kind so there is absolutely no risk at all I wouldn't think as nothing is getting into your system.x

Actually glitteryballs that is incorrect...

The stinging structure of the nettle is very similar to the hypodermic needle although it predates that man-made invention by millions of years! Each sting is actually a hollow hair stiffened by silica with a swollen base that contains the venom. The tip of this hair is very brittle and when brushed against, no matter how lightly, it breaks off exposing a sharp point that penetrates the skin and delivers its stinging payload.

It used to be thought that the main constituent of the sting was formic acid - the same chemical used by ants, giving that never forgotten burning sensation that demands to be scratched. Although formic acid is present in the sting, recent research has shown that the main chemicals are histamine, acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). A fourth ingredient has yet to be identified.

seriosuly?

I stand corrected! My mum was lying to me all these years...

I assume these chemicals are still very unlikely to cause systemic effects in the quantities administered? Or have they been known to cause adverse reactions in rare cases?

I'm sure this isn't helping your anxiety much OP, I'm pretty sure that if all you've got is a few itchy bumps on your skin then your wee one is totally safe!

I am sure you are completely fine if a little sore

Thanks all - atthenightsky, that does make me feel better :)
This is my 1st pregnancy and it's all a bit of a minefield!