Question: "I recently got the sap of this succulent plant on me and it burns like white hot fire. What do I do?"

Answer: 

• If this is Euphorbia tirucalli then you are in for some pain. However, the following general suggestions would probably work for many different types of toxic plant sap. 
• Of note, this topic really wasn’t covered in medical school and it is not in any of my major textbooks.  Therefore, I am using some common sense here as well as insight from my own personal experience.  
• The best first step is to get the sap off of you as best as you can. The faster the better b/c Euphorbia tirucalli sap dries fast and is harder to remove.
• Removing Euphorbia tirucalli sap is difficult b/c it acts a bit like glue and dries clear.
• Even when you think it is gone, trace invisible residue can cause major symptoms. Therefore wash for at least 15 min... more like 30 min. 
• Soap, water and time.
• Don't wash over dirty dishes in the sink-you don't want to ingest even a tiny amount of residue from this powerful toxin.
• Discard anything that you think might have sap on it.  It can cause problems later even if you don't see it.  
• Throw away whatever you used to clean with when you are done.
• IMPORTANT, if you are in the shower, be careful how the water drains off the area you are washing. You could easily wash the sap residue from one place to another place downstream on your body. You definitely don’t want to damage your extra sensitive body parts.   
• If you get the sap on your skin, or worst, in your eye or ingest it, see your doctor/go to the hospital asap... But don’t drive yourself there because the pain is very distracting-making it unsafe to drive. If the sap is in your eyes it can cause blindness (obviously not good while trying to drive either).
• Benadryl may help with the redness but the main thing is to get the sap off you.

My Story:

• Unfortunately, that was me who asked myself the above question after a rude introduction to this toxic “ornamental” plant.
• Shortly after I just bought a house I noticed a huge succulent bush in my back yard with pencil like stems. It seemed interesting and harmless enough so I cut a branch to grow the cutting.
• Not a good idea.
• When I cut the branch, this white sticky latex sap spurted out. It acted like a bottle of Elmer’s glue under pressure. Most of it missed me but a few drops got on my arm and hand.
• Because I heard that some plant saps can be harmful, I immediately went inside and washed my arm for about 5 min.
• At first nothing happened to me.
• Then at about 2am I awoke to a terrible pain on my arm. It felt like white-hot-fire.
• I immediately washed my arm again and went to the internet.

http://www.plantzafrica.com/

This is what I discovered in my search:

• Many people sell this plant b/c it is easy to grow and looks cool.  However, no every seller will tell you that this plant is dangerous.
• It goes by name different names. (Firestick Plants, Indian Tree Spurge, Naked Lady, Pencil Tree, Rubber-Hedge, Sticks on Fire or Milk Bush)
• But the scientific name is:  Euphorbia tirucalli (you-FOR-bee-uh teer-ooh-KAL-eye)

 

http://www.wikimedia.org/

Where it lives:

• It is originally from Eastern and South Africa but has adapted all over the world.
• In some areas, such as Brazil, it is grown it as a fence. It is very effective as a fence b/c no one wants to touch the thing.
• The plant grows very well in dry environments.
• Some websites discuss how the plant can be trained and shaped. But that requires putting yourself in major danger. My advice is to stay clear and don’t touch it.

Problem:

• The sap is the big problem and is extremely toxic.
• It causes burns, and can cause blindness if it gets in the eyes.
• I have also read some articles implicating the plant as a cause of an aggressive type of lymphoma. This cancer may in part be a result of ingesting the sap as part of folk “herbal remedies.”
• More acutely, many have died after a minimal amount of sap ingestion.

Where is it now?:

• I never really noticed the plant before, but now I see it everywhere.
• I have seen smaller potted Euphorbia tirucalli plants for sale at most major home improvement/garden stores. However, I have not seen a warning label on any of the plants. In fact, in one nationwide-chain home improvement a plant pamphlet in the garden center talked about the benefits and care for the plants they sell and not a word about this dangerous plant that was profiled on its own page. Truly amazing and irresponsible.
• So beware, stay away and keep it from kids and animals.
• If you must have it, don’t plant this thing in your yard. It grows fast, is dangerous and hard to get rid of.  Now I have a big Euphorbia tirucalli from a previous home owner and no one wants to remove it.

Here's some more info I found useful/interesting online:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_tirucalli

http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v88/n10/full/6600929a.html

http://www.homegrownevolution.com/2010/04/least-favorite-plant-euphorbia.html

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/euphorbia_tirucalli.html

http://plantsarethestrangestpeople.blogspot.com/2009/01/cigarette-smoking-man-euphorbia.html