Spiders – Better Health Channel

Spiders in Australia

Spiders are arachnids, not insects. Other arachnids include ticks, mites and scorpions. However, spiders and insects, are classified as arthropods – part of the largest group of animals.

Generally, spiders have 8 legs, two-part bodies, fangs, and organs that spin webs. Spiders are essential to our ecosystem as they prey on insects and keep their populations under control.

Australia has about 2,000 species of spider, but most are relatively harmless to humans.

Venomous spiders in Australia include funnel-web, mouse, redback and white-tailed spiders.

Since the introduction of antivenom, there have been no recorded deaths in Australia from a confirmed spider bite.

Spider bites and venom

Most spiders have venom. A spider uses venom to paralyse its prey (usually flies and other insects).

Sometimes, a spider that feels frightened or threatened by a human may bite. In most cases, spider fangs are not strong enough to break the skin. If the fangs do break the skin, the venom usually has no effect on your body.

The pain of most spider bites can be managed with a cold pack.

Some Australian spiders can cause potentially harmful bites including the:

• funnel-web
• mouse
• redback
• white-tailed.

Antivenoms are available for the treatment of redback and funnel-web spider bites.

Who is at risk of spider bites?

People who are at greater risk of severe reactions to spider venom include babies, young children, the elderly and people with an existing heart condition.

Some people may also be allergic to certain venom and experience an adverse reaction, including anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction). Immediate medical treatment is recommended.

If in doubt, see your doctor, go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital or dial triple zero (000) to call an ambulance.

Symptoms of spider bites

Symptoms of a venomous spider bite depend on the species, but may include:

• redness and itching
• increasing pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• sweating (perspiring)
• dilated pupils
• uncontrollable muscle spasms
• unconsciousness.

Additional symptoms for funnel-web or mouse spider bites

Additional symptoms for funnel-web or mouse spider bites include:

• lots of saliva and tears
• muscle twitching
• difficulty breathing
• small hairs stand on end
• numb mouth
• fast pulse and high blood pressure
• disorientation and confusion leading to unconsciousness.

Additional symptoms for a redback spider bite

Additional symptoms for a redback spider bite include:

• intense local pain which increases and spreads
• small hairs stand on end
• patchy sweating
• headache
• muscle weakness or spasms.

First aid for harmful spider bites

Remember that first aid for a venomous spider biteExternal Link depends on the species of spider:

• Funnel-web and mouse spider first aid – pressure bandage the affected area and immobilise the person.
• Red-back and other spider first aid – wash the bitten area thoroughly with soap and water. Apply a cold pack to the bitten area for 15 minutes, or longer if pain continues.

In all cases, never cut a spider bite or tourniquet a limb.

Don’t give the person anything to eat or drink.

Seek immediate medical help.

What is pressure bandaging and immobilisation?

Pressure bandaging and immobilisation is important for funnel-web and mouse spiders bites. It slows the movement of venom through the lymphatic system.

Bandaging the wound firmly tends to squash the nearby lymph vessels, which helps to prevent the venom from leaving the puncture site. If you don’t have any bandages at hand, use whatever is available such as:

• clothing
• stockings
• towels.

Immobilising the limb is another way to slow the spread of venom, sometimes delaying it for hours at a time. This is because the lymphatic system relies on muscle movement to squeeze lymph through its vessels.

Pressure bandaging and immobilisation steps

1. If the bite is on a limb, apply an elasticised roller bandage (10-15 centimetres wide) over the bite site.
2. Apply a further elasticised roller bandage. Start just above the fingers or toes, and move upwards on the bitten limb as far as can be reached. Apply the bandage as firmly as possible. You should be unable to easily slide a finger between the bandage and the skin.
3. Splint the limb.
4. Keep the person lying down and completely still.
5. Write down the time of the bite and when the bandage was applied. If possible, mark the location of the bite site (if known) on the skin or bandage with a pen, or photograph the site. Do not wash venom off the skin or clothes because it may assist identification.
6. Stay with the patient until medical aid arrives.

Catch the spider, if possible

If you can, catch the spider and take it with you to hospital so that medical staff can identify the species and quickly administer the correct treatment.

Tips on how to safely catch a spider include:

1. Choose an empty container with a secure lid, like a jar.
2. Place the container over the spider.
3. Slide a piece of stiff cardboard beneath the container to seal it.
4. Hold the cardboard securely and turn the container upside down. The spider should drop to the bottom of the container.
5. Remove the cardboard and attach the container lid.

If you cannot catch the spider, it will help medical staff if you have a photo of it or can describe it. Features to look for include size, colour, bulk and where the spider was when it bit you.

Identifying common venomous spiders

To assess your risk of spider bites, familiarise yourself with the kinds of spider that tend to live around your home and garden. Each species of spider has a preferred home or hunting ground.

Funnel-web spiders

Funnel-webs tend to be nocturnal (come out at night) and can be found along eastern Australia from northern Queensland to Tasmania and in some areas of South Australia. There are around 40 species – not all are dangerous to humans.

Features

• Live in holes in moist soil (such as in mulched garden beds). Erratic (rather than symmetrical) web lines may fan out from the hole.
• Males tend to roam for females in autumn and summer.
• The male Sydney funnel-web is considered Australia’s most dangerous spider, and is the only type of funnel-web responsible for recorded human deaths. The Sydney funnel-web is not found in Victoria.

Mouse spiders

Mouse spiders are found all over Australia. They may be found in suburban gardens and are sometimes mistaken for funnel-web spiders.

Features

• Live in burrows in the ground, often near water in ground holes that feature right-angled ‘trap doors’.
• Black and have a bulbous head and jaw.
• 10 to 30 mm long. Females are generally larger than the males.
• Depending on their species, females maybe dark brown to black and their jaws are sometimes red-tinged.
• Males can sometimes have distinctive markings such as red jaw or head or bluish-white on the abdomen.

Mouse spider bites are uncommon, but they can cause potential toxicity to people.

Redback spiders

Redbacks are common in Australia, and are often found in backyards. They do not live in the ground, but choose sheltered areas (such as inside sheds or beneath stairs).

Features

• Only the female redback spider bite is dangerous and may require antivenom.
• Are not aggressive. Most bites occur when people accidentally put their hand in the web and the spider feels threatened.
• Usually black and shiny with a red or orange hourglass marking under their abdomen.
• Most also have a long stripe on the upper surface of their abdomen. They have long legs and a large, bulbous abdomen.
• Females (body length of about 10 mm) are significantly larger than males (body length of about 4 mm).
• The web is usually made in the shade. The top of the web contains a thickly spun ‘cone’, where the spider sits.

White-tailed spiders

White-tailed spiders are common and found in most homes throughout Australia.

Features

• White-tailed spiders are grey to black with a white patch on the abdomen.
• Outdoors, white-tailed spiders live under bark and logs and in leaf litter. They do not build a web.
• Indoors, they can be found in:
  • cool and tiled areas (such as bathrooms and laundries)
  • bedding
  • inside shoes
  • towels, clothes and other items left on the floor.

Bite symptoms

Most bites occur indoors, at night and in warmer months. Although bites can appear anywhere on the body, they usually appear on the arms and legs. Symptoms tend to cause a mild reaction which usually resolves in a few weeks. These may include:

• irritation and itching at the bite site
• a small lump and swelling
• skin discolouration
• occasionally, local blistering or ulceration.

Common but relatively harmless spiders

Some spiders may look scary, but are not dangerous to most people. Common examples include:

• black house spiders
• huntsman
• trapdoor
• wolf.

First aid for these spider bites:

1. Wash the injured site with soap and water.
2. Apply a cold pack to the bitten or stung area for 15 minutes and reapply if pain continues.
3. Seek medical attention if the patient develops severe symptoms.

Black house spiders

Black house spiders are found in eastern and southern Australia. They may be found under tree bark and around windowsills. The webs are formed in messy ‘sheets’.

Features

• Dark brown/black in colour with black legs, large abdomen and fangs which are not obvious.
• They are not aggressive.
• Females (up to 18 mm) are larger than males (about 9 mm).
• The female spider never leaves her web unless forced to.
• Males, when ready to mate, go in search of females in their webs.
• Sometimes mistaken for funnel-webs because of the shape of their web. However their webs are commonly found above ground level. (Funnel-webs live in burrows in the ground.)

Bite symptoms

Black house spiders bite infrequently. Their bites can be quite painful with local swelling.

Symptoms such as pain, nausea, vomiting, sweating and skin lesions have been recorded in a few cases.

Huntsman

There are many species of huntsman spiders in Australia. They live under bark, rocks and crevices. Some like to live in cars and houses and can often give people a fright due to their size.

Features

• Huntsman spiders can grow up to 15 cm across the legs.
• Front pairs of legs are much longer than the back legs.
• The females are bigger than the males.
• Usually brown or grey in colour.
• Do not build nests.

Bite symptoms

Despite its size, a huntsman is usually harmless. A bite, however, may cause some swelling and pain for a short time.

Trapdoor

The common name trapdoor spider covers several families of spiders. Their name is misleading as many do not build a door for their burrows. In urban areas, trapdoor spiders control many of the garden pests. Since they are not considered to be dangerous to humans, it is best just to leave them alone.

Features

• Common backyard ground dweller.
• They build open burrows that have no trapdoor.
• Can be distinguished from funnel-web burrows by the absence of silk triplines around the entrance.
• 15 to 35 mm in body length, females are larger than males.
• Light brown to dark brown in colour, and covered in fine hairs.
• Tend to be quite timid.
• Often mistaken for funnel-webs, but their bites are not dangerous.

Bite symptoms

Due to the size of their fangs, bites can be deep and painful with local swelling.

Wolf spider

Found across Australia in habitats ranging from dry inland to wet coastal areas. They live on the ground in leaf litter or burrows, and are often found in lawns and gardens. They do not build webs and are often active during the day.

Features

• There are many species ranging from about 10 mm to 80 mm.
• Body colour is typically brown to greyish brown, with various patterns.
• Distinctive eye pattern – 2 large eyes at the front with 4 small eyes in a line beneath them. The other 2 eyes are set back on the sides of the front segment (or cephalothorax).
• Not aggressive, but can run very fast when disturbed.

Bite symptoms

Typical symptoms of bites are usually minor, such as local pain or itchiness. Less commonly, they have caused swelling, dizziness, nausea and a rapid pulse.

Necrotising arachnidism

Necrotising arachnidism is a type of skin inflammation and ulceration that is caused by the bite of some spiders. Occasionally, the reaction is so severe that the person loses large amounts of skin and needs extensive skin grafts.

Although the white-tailed spider and black house spider have been linked historically to necrotising arachnidism, medical studies cannot determine if this is the case. Research is ongoing.

It is unclear why most people who are bitten have only mild reactions, while a very tiny minority suffers from skin ulceration.

Necrotic lesions

Localised skin breakdown, loss and death (necrotic lesions) can be caused by a range of other factors, including:

• poor blood circulation (one of the most common causes of leg ulcers)
• unmanaged diabetes
• some fungal infections
• some bacterial infections
• burns, such as chemical burns.

Treatment for necrotising arachnidism

There is no cure for necrotising arachnidism. Treatment may include:

• medications – such as antibiotics and cortisone medication (corticosteroids)
• hyperbaric oxygen therapy – oxygen delivered at higher than usual intensity and pressure
• surgery – the dead skin is removed and a skin graft applied.

Tips on avoiding spider bites

Suggestions to avoid spider bites include:

• Always wear gloves, long trousers and shoes while gardening.
• Wear shoes when walking around in the garden.
• Inspect any suspected spider web or lair with a stick (or something similar), not your hands.
• Shake out shoes before you put them on.
• Don’t leave clothes on the floor – if you do, shake them out before you put them on.
• Instruct children not to touch spiders.
• Don’t assume that a spider at the bottom of a swimming pool is dead. Some spiders can survive on an air bubble for 24 hours or more.

How to spider-proof your home

It may be impossible to eradicate spiders from your garden, but you can stop most spiders from living in your house. Suggestions include:

• Clear away trees, shrubs and bushes from around doors or windows.
• Avoid the use of insecticides in the garden, as spiders may be encouraged to flee into the house.
• Fit draught-strips to all doors. Spiders may crawl in under doors.
• Install flyscreens to windows and any vents, such as wall ventilation slots.
• Don’t leave equipment or clothing (such as shoes) outside. If you do, shake out before you wear them or bring them inside the house.
• Keep the windows of your parked car wound up to avoid being surprised by a spider while you’re driving.
• Pour boiling water (from a kettle) into any spider holes you find near doorways and windows. This will kill the spider.
• Contact a licensed pest control operator for professional advice.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
• Your GP (doctor)
• Emergency department of your nearest hospital
• Australian Venom Research UnitExternal Link Tel. 1300 760 451
• Your local councilExternal Link
• Licensed pest control operatorExternal Link
• Victorian Department of Health, Pesticide Safety TeamExternal Link Tel. 1300 767 469
• Australian Environmental Pest Managers AssociationExternal Link Tel. 1300 307 114
• Victorian Poisons Information CentreExternal Link Tel. 13 11 26 (24 hours, 7 days) – for advice about poisonings, suspected poisonings, bites and stings, mistakes with medicines and poisoning prevention

17 Signs Your Bug Bite Is Something Serious — Best Life

Summer is many people’s favorite season for a reason: Its days are packed with backyard barbecues, pool parties, and long days at the beach. But while the dog days provide plenty of sunshine and sangria, they come with a nuisance that’s not an issue during the rest of the year: bugs. And it’s not just that they’re annoying, either; unfortunately, many of these irritating insects also have the potential to cause serious harm, thanks to their venom and the diseases they carry.

So if we can’t avoid bugs altogether, then what is there to be done to prevent a trip to the hospital? For starters, you can memorize the signs we’ve compiled here that a bug bite is doing some serious damage to your body. Read on to find out what to look for, and when to get that bug bite checked out by a medical professional.

READ THIS NEXT: The No. 1 Thing Attracting Mosquitoes to Your Yard.

Though swelling is a common reaction to most bug bites, excessive swelling can be a cause for concern. If you notice that the area around your bite is continuing to swell after a few days—or even that the swelling is extending to other parts of the body—then it’s vital that you seek medical attention to identify the type of bite and receive treatment accordingly. In particular, a swollen eyelid is cause for concern, says Joseph Alton, MD, author of The Survival Medicine Handbook.

“[This is] known as ‘Romana’s sign,'” he tells Best Life. “It could be a sign of Chagas disease, an infection caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted to animals and people by insect vectors. The unusual swelling is caused by the parasite infecting the eyelid when bug feces is accidentally rubbed into the eye or from a bite nearby on the same side. “

Alton says that although this parasite used to only be found in Latin America, it’s now being reported in certain parts of the U.S.

READ THIS NEXT: 9 Cleaning Habits That Attract Spiders.

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Thanks to your body’s autoimmune response, most insect bites will swell at the sight of puncture, but few will bruise unless there’s something serious going on. Should a mysterious bite start to turn black and blue, it’s likely that something is happening inside your body that needs to be checked out, like an allergic reaction to a mosquito’s saliva or even a staph infection.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

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Though uncommon, bug bites can cause severe allergic reactions that have been known to result in fatal heart attacks. If you ever notice a bug bite on your body and subsequently begin to experience chest pain, head to the hospital right away.

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According to the Mayo Clinic, bites from dangerous arachnids like the black widow and brown recluse generally clear up on their own, but in severe scenarios, these venomous stings can cause difficulties breathing and ulcerations at the site of penetration. These symptoms are indicative of a more serious issue, such as anaphylactic shock, and they shouldn’t be ignored.

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Feeling dizzy after getting bitten by a bug could mean that you are allergic to said pest, according to the University of Texas’ University Health Services. In other cases, it could also mean that you’ve been bitten by a black widow spider—and either way, you’ll want to seek medical attention.

For more health news sent directly to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

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Nausea can accompany several serious bug bite complications, including Lyme disease, Chikungunya virus, and venomous spider bites. Luckily, most of these complications can easily be treated by a medical professional, so long as you address them as soon as they start showing symptoms.

Never ignore a bullseye rash surrounding a bug bite. In most cases, this rash is a telltale indication of Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that, if left untreated, can cause arthritis, neurological disorders, and heart palpitations.

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If your temperature starts to spike after getting stung by an unknown bug, then you might be dealing with a brown recluse spider bite. Unfortunately, these spiders have venom more dangerous than that of a rattlesnake, and so if there’s even a slight possibility that you’ve been bitten by one, you should head to the doctor immediately.

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If you come back from an exotic vacation to a country like Brazil or China and begin to experience profuse sweating coupled with other symptoms like a high fever and diarrhea, you might be dealing with malaria. Because vaccinations to prevent malaria are required before traveling, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever come down with this mosquito-transmitted illness, but it’s best to beware of the warning signs nonetheless.

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Yet another reason to protect yourself from mosquitos in the summertime is Dengue fever. Uncommon but possible to contract in the United States, this illness can cause everything from pain behind the eyes to severe headaches—and, as it progresses, it can result in bleeding from the nose and gums, circulatory system failure, and liver enlargement.

Headaches can be indicative of several things, including chikungunya virus. Transmitted by female Aedes mosquitoes (of course), this infection has no prevention or cure, but doctors can prescribe pain medicine to make you more comfortable as the virus passes.

Immediately after getting bitten by a bug, it’s normal for your body to fight back. For the first few days, you might notice that the skin around the bite is hot to the touch—but if the skin remains inflamed and warm after several days, you could be dealing with an infected bite that requires antibiotics.

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Lymph nodes only swell up if the body is fighting off an infection—so if any of the glands on your body become enlarged after getting eaten alive by a bug, it’s likely that this is the result of an infection. And depending on the type of bug that bit you, you could be suffering from everything from West Nile virus (thanks to a mosquito) to a bad reaction to a black widow bite.

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There’s a difference between normal fatigue and exhaustion that won’t subside. On the one hand, it’s normal to be tired after staying out all night and getting just a few hours of rest. But if you’re sleeping for 12 hours a night and are still waking up exhausted, then you might be dealing with one of several illnesses, like Lyme disease, chikungunya, or Ross River fever. Whatever the case may be, it’s best to get yourself checked out, as chronic fatigue can severely impact your day-to-day life.

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Any and all bug bites can cause a severe allergic reaction. And in the case of most of these reactions, you will almost immediately experience a severe swelling of the lips, tongue, and/or throat, which, if left untreated, can lead to difficulty breathing and even a closing of the airways entirely.

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Stomach pain is never a sign of something good. When coupled with a bug bite, this cramping could be a sign of a more serious issue, such as an allergic reaction, Babesiosis, or West Nile virus. And if your abdominal pain is coupled with vomiting and other symptoms on this list, then you should head to the doctor immediately to avoid further complications.

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In a 2013 study published in the journal Quality of Life Research, scientists found that 41 percent of adults with Lyme disease experienced sleep disturbances and 60 percent experienced night sweats and chills. During the early stages of Lyme, having trouble sleeping is common, and it certainly shouldn’t be ignored.

Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. If you have health questions or concerns, always consult your healthcare provider directly.

What to do after a midge bite to avoid complications

May 26, 2022

Likbez

Health

Lifehacker found ways to relieve itching and avoid complications.

You can listen to the short version of the article. If it’s more convenient for you, turn on the podcast.

Why are midge bites dangerous? But their bites can cause a lot of trouble:

• They cause severe allergic reactions up to anaphylaxis.
• Microbes get into combed bites – inflammation begins.
• The scratched area may darken the skin and leave scars.
• Blackflies can spread pathogens. For example, arboviruses. True, they threaten mainly livestock, because these small insects do not carry enough viruses to infect humans.

What are the symptoms of midge bites

Most often, bites look like small red raised dots on the skin. There may be a red, hot to the touch seal around. Sometimes in the center you can see a bubble with a cloudy liquid.

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Photo: riekephotos / Shutterstock

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Photo: Fakhad Veronika / Shutterstock

Bites are always very itchy and can hurt. Pain, itching and swelling usually last for several days.

Things you can do yourself

Because the bites are so itchy, it’s hard to keep cool and help yourself properly. But it is important to avoid scratching and infection.

Immediately after the bite

If you find yourself bitten, then

• wash the wound;
• apply ice for 15 minutes on the site of swelling;
• Spot a calamine-based or zinc-based cooling mash once an hour throughout the day;
• Take over-the-counter allergy pills or apply an antihistamine ointment to relieve itching, but don’t do both.

Sergey Butriy

Pediatrician at the Rassvet Evidence-Based Medicine Clinic

First-generation antiallergic drugs, such as those based on clemastine or chloropyramine, are better for itching but cause drowsiness. If the latter is uncomfortable for you, choose second-generation products, such as cetirizine. Antihistamine ointment can be replaced with a steroid cream, such as mometasone or methylprednisolone aceponate. All these items must be taken with you on the trip.

If the blister did not go away without a trace

If the next day the swelling around the bite has decreased, but a raised rash remains at the site of the bite or you accidentally scratched it at night:

• Apply an ointment with steroids or antihistamines for an additional 3-5 days.
• You can take an over-the-counter allergy medicine to relieve itching. You can use it for up to several weeks.
• Take an over-the-counter paracetamol or ibuprofen pain reliever if needed.

What not to do if you have been bitten

Do not scratch or rub the affected area. The momentary relief will pass and you will touch the bite again and again. And if you comb it to the blood, the traces will take longer to pass. In addition, microbes from the hands can get into the wound, an infection will develop.

When to See a Doctor

Midge stings usually go away on their own. But you may need medical attention if:

• there is a red spot or blister larger than 10 cm around the bite;
• the bites became inflamed and pus appeared, the temperature rose, the state of health worsened;
• bitten face near eyes and mouth, swollen eyelid or lips;
• in the evening and the next day the symptoms only get worse;
• you have persistent, exhausting itching and a general deterioration in well-being.

Call an ambulance immediately if there are signs of anaphylaxis (increasing weakness and disorientation up to loss of consciousness, clammy sweat, nausea, poor control over one’s movements) or angioedema threatens to suffocate (the tongue swells and does not fit in the mouth, the voice is hoarse, everything harder to breathe).

How to protect yourself from bites

Avoiding bites is easier than treating them. To protect yourself from midges, follow the precautions:

• Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dawn and dusk when the midges are most active. In the forest or fishing, you can also put on a Pavlovsky protective net.
• Use bug spray and remember to reapply as directed.
• Do not camp near bodies of water.
• Hang a net on your car windows when you go out into the countryside.
• In the garden, empty all containers that you do not use. Cover cesspools and pools.
• Do not use strong scented products such as perfumes, deodorants, etc. They may attract insects.

Sergey Butriy

It is almost impossible to protect yourself from midges: some specimens crawl through even a fine mesh. Therefore, if you have an increased sensitivity to the bites of any insects, it is better to have first aid for anaphylactic shock with you in nature. Your doctor will prescribe them for you.

Read also 🧐

• What animals carry rabies and how to survive after being bitten
• What to do if bitten by a spider
• What to do if bitten by a horsefly
• Why ant bites are dangerous and what to do about it

Common bruise. — Altai Biosphere Reserve

Botanical description . Common bruise (lat. Échium vulgáre L.), limitedly distributed synonyms: Rannik blue, Blue blush – a biennial herbaceous plant, a species of the genus Bruise (Échium) of the Borage family (Boraginaceae). A plant up to 1 m high, covered with prickly bristles with an admixture of small whitish-gray villi on a round, erect, usually simple stem. The leaves are linear-lanceolate, pointed, up to 13 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, with one clearly visible midrib, sessile, only the lowest ones (dying off during flowering) are narrowed at the base into a short petiole. The flowers are sessile, located on short lateral branches, forming a narrow paniculate inflorescence along the stem. The calyx is five-parted, the corolla is blue, reddish before blooming, for which the plant is popularly called a blush, 10-15 mm long, with blunt lobes; the corolla tube does not protrude from the calyx. The column is bipartite. Blooms in summer. Nuts brownish, obtuse.

Habitat. Grows on dry slopes, along ravines in wastelands in forest and steppe zones. It grows like a weed on pastures, in crops, near housing and roads, sometimes it is bred near apiaries as a honey plant.

Ecology. Light-loving, drought-resistant plant, demanding on soil fertility, grows well on soils rich in humus and mineral nutrients.

Distribution . It grows in most of Europe, in Western Siberia and in the west of Central Asia. In the Altai Reserve, a rare adventive (adventive) plant. It occurs only in the Teletsky floristic region. It grows at altitudes of 435-600 m above sea level. seas.

Features. All parts of the plant are poisonous, as they contain cynoglossin, a poison similar to curare, as well as consolidin, which is also a strong nerve poison. Saponins, choline and vitamin C are found in the leaves and stems. Monocarpic (a plant that reproduces (flowers or bears fruit) only once during its life).

Value. Ornamental plant. Honey plant. Blossoming bruise is a very valuable honey plant, bees produce 300-400 kg of honey from 1 hectare. The colorless and transparent bruise nectar is odorless. Bruise honey – thick and slowly crystallizing, belongs to the first-class honey, has a light amber color, has a pleasant smell and very good taste. Medicinal plant. Despite the toxicity, the common bruise is widely used in folk medicine.