title: Cactus Spine Wounds: A Case Report and Short Review of the Literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cactus plants are commonly seen in arid southwestern regions of the United States. Due to their ready availability, they have become a popular houseplant. The spines or glochidia can easily puncture the skin with only minor pressure (ie, bumping or touching the cactus). Removal of the offending spine is difficult, even with tweezers.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 18-year-old woman initially self-removed the spines, and marked discomfort and intense erythematous reaction developed within 8 to 10 hours. Patient presented to the emergency room at Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center (Janesville, Wisconsin), where spine removal was unsuccessful.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following emergency room discharge, she had difficulty walking from pain and swelling and was advised to use heat packs, take amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and rest with her leg elevated for another 7 days along with using eye drops for eye irritation. The lesions slowly improved over the next several months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The case of multiple barrel cactus spine injuries with severe pain and swelling is presented herein as well as a review of the treatment options and complications of cactus spine injuries.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern System at Cadence Health (Emeritus), Hospital, Glen Ellyn, IL.
authors.forename: Raymond A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dieter
authors.affiliation: Child Development, Whitehouse Grading LLC, Muskego, WI.
authors.forename: Lisa R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
authors.affiliation: Student University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gulliver
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029421:Cactaceae / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014922:Wisconsin; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination