Well, I haven't but here is what I found in a search. You might want to use some hydrogen peroxide and betadine on it.
Palm trees can be dangerous if you touch them in the wrong spot. Sharp thorns on their branches, trunks and the undersides or tips of fronds can puncture the skin and cause bacterial or fungal infections. Puncture injuries may look harmless, but bits of thorny debris may lodge inside the wound. Infections are particularly likely if the debris carries fungal toxins or soil bacteria, such as Pantoea agglomerans. Inflammation of a palm tree puncture wound requires medical treatment.
The British Medical Journal noted in a November 2002 issue that the fronds of date palms are "particularly dangerous," because the sharp, narrow tips of their spines dry quickly and break off easily when they puncture skin.
The BMJ article documented the case of an otherwise healthy 14-year-old boy who developed an arthritis-like injury of the knee from a date palm thorn puncture six weeks before treatment. Shortly after the puncture, he received antibiotics that temporarily relieved his pain and swelling. Arthrocentesis -- using a needle to withdraw fluid from a swollen joint -- eventually led to identification of Pantoea agglomerans, a common soil bacteria, causing septic arthritis. It took two ultrasound exams to locate the tiny bits of palm thorn debris causing the infection and limiting the range of motion in the boy's knee. Hospitalization lasted more than a week and involved surgery to remove the fragments and wash out the infection. The boy recovered fully.
Immediate, basic first aid should be performed on any puncture wound, and especially those from palm trees, to prevent infection. This involves cleaning the wound area and applying an antiseptic. MedicineNet.com notes that although puncture wounds usually bleed little, they infect easily. When swelling of a palm thorn puncture occurs, arthrocentisis is necessary to rule out bacterial or fungal infection. Treatment with antibiotics is urgent if bacterial or fungal infection is present. Eliminating infection also requires surgical removal of thorn fragments. Although thorn fragments may remain if there is no infection, they are likely to cause recurring discomfort. So surgical removal of thorns is a good idea, overall. Wearing sturdy garden gloves and protective eye wear while pruning palm trees or cleaning up fallen foliage is essential to prevent puncture wounds.
It's God's job to judge the terrorists. It's our mission to arrange the meeting. U.S. Marines
Blogs & Forums
