Many people view gardening as a relaxing hobby, an easy way to spend a few hours outdoors when the weather is nice. But as an emergency medicine consultant, I deal with all kinds of emergencies and injuries resulting from seemingly harmless hobbies.
Over the years I have seen my arms cut off by lawn mowers and my legs cut off by lawn mowers and garden pitchforks. In recent weeks, I have witnessed falls from stairs, injured my head in a fall on concrete, and, sadly, I have witnessed the death of a man in later years who was overstretched.
Even in the past, gardens could be hazardous to health. One of the first patients treated with penicillin was a police officer who apparently developed sepsis after scratching himself with a rosehip thorn. At that time, the slightest injury could have catastrophic consequences, which happened to a British woman who recently died of sepsis after scratching her hands while gardening.
But this is not the only danger lurking in your garden. Here are a few things to keep in mind before embarking on your next plant care approach:
1. tetanus
Tetanus is a very unpleasant disease. The muscles spasm due to the toxic action of the bacteria Clostridium tetani . The agony was almost indescribable, causing painful muscle spasms and a clenched jaw.
Many people associate tetanus with things like rusty nails. But these very common organisms are also found in soil, especially when composted, because Clostidium is found in the gut. Roses love composted soil, so cutting them off infected thistles or disturbing the soil can kill these beloved flowers.
Luckily, I didn't see an ambulance because tetanus shots are given in the UK. And I never want to see a case, no matter how strong it may be. Mortality among unvaccinated people can exceed 50%. That's why it's important to make sure your tetanus shot is up to date.
2. Bacteria and fungi
Hidden inside a humble compost sack is an ingredient that many of us don't expect: legionella .
This bacterium can cause an infection called Legionnaires' disease and is especially dangerous for the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. It can cause severe pneumonia and is often fatal if inhaled. The cause could be stagnant hot water from the composting process.
Not only rolled compost is dangerous. Your compost heap is also full of lots of bacteria and mold, which should not cause any problems if properly cared for. But often aspergillus can grow when it's hot outside. This can cause some nasty lung damage and can spread further throughout the body, especially in the elderly and immunocompromised, and can be fatal.
Mold spores can also cause an allergic reaction in some people, a condition known as allergic rosette or farmer's lung. This is a classic case due to exposure to rotting straw, but compost heaps can also do the same due to the presence of organisms such as Aspergillus and Actinomycetes bacteria.
3. Leptospirosis
Leptospira is a bacterium that can be found in water contaminated with rat urine. Because rats often make their habitat near humans, care should be taken when gardening near ponds or rainwater barrels.
Leptospira can cause leptospirosis, a severe infection that causes headaches, fever, chills, vomiting, jaundice, and then liver failure, kidney failure, and meningitis.
4. Power tools
While power tools can make our yard work easier, they also injure us more easily. Brush cutters can be a great way to tame trees and shrubs, but they can also amputate fingers and cut very effectively. Be sure to wait until the brush cutter has completely turned off before cutting any branches you may have uprooted.
Hedge trimmers and lawn mowers can also easily cut power lines, which can lead to electric shock. Power tools can also be disastrous if they fall while climbing stairs, and if you have power lines in your yard, avoid them.
Take care
While these hidden dangers are certainly dangerous, thankfully there are a few simple things you can do to avoid the damage they cause, including:
- Clean and bandage wounds while gardening.
Make sure your vaccinations are up to date (especially against tetanus).
Keep the fertilizer bag away from your face when you open it.
Keep rats away by avoiding composting cooked food, flooding cigarette butts with water, and setting traps if you have an infestation.
Anchor the ladder securely on a level surface away from power lines.
Enjoy wildlife, but leave it alone (snakes can be just as dangerous as rats).
And one last piece of advice from me. Every year, my hospital's burn ward sees a lot of people trying to start a barbecue or fire with gasoline. Not everyone survives. So if you're planning on grilling your crafts in the yard, be sure not to use flammable liquids to start the fire, and have a fire extinguisher handy.
Gardening is a rewarding hobby that comes with many health benefits. Be sure to take reasonable precautions.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 
Excerpt : Four dangers lurking in your garden and how to protect yourself (May 31, 2023), accessed May 31, 2023, https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-05-dangers-lurking-gardenand .html
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