May 17, 2025
Science

Why does nettle burn our skin as if it has been pierced by a needle?

  • July 19, 2024
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When you touch the nettle, you may experience a burning sensation on your skin. itching or numbness Have you ever experienced the feeling? It’s like little like a

Why does nettle burn our skin as if it has been pierced by a needle?

When you touch the nettle, you may experience a burning sensation on your skin. itching or numbness Have you ever experienced the feeling?

It’s like little like a pinprick This sudden discomfort that you feel is a common experience that many people have with this herb.

So, how does the burning sensation occur?

stinging nettle burn

Found in the leaves and stem of nettle thin hairs in the shape of a hollow tube, provides the answer to this question. The tips of the hairs have a glassy structure and break even with a light touch, injecting the chemicals inside our skin.

These chemicals include formic acid, histamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin. formic acid, It is a substance that is also found in ants and causes skin irritation.

Histamine works as part of our immune system and accelerates the inflammation process. Acetylcholine and serotonin are neurotransmitters that enable communication between nerve cells.

How does our body react to these chemicals?

irritated hand

When the nettle hairs sink into our skin, Chemicals quickly enter our skin. Formic acid causes skin irritation and pain, while histamine causes local inflammation and redness.

Acetylcholine and serotonin yes It affects the communication between nerve cells and causes numbness and itching. These substances act on the nerve endings in our skin and cause pain and itching.

The hairs of the nettle plant self-defense mechanism It also functions as . This structure of plant hairs is also part of the nettle’s survival strategy.

Hairs help the plant reduce water loss, like light and wind Helps protect against environmental factors.

Although painful to the touch, nettle has been used by humans for centuries.

Dead Nettle

Nettle relieves pain in muscles and joints, diseases such as eczema and arthritis is used for treatment. Nettle is considered an effective plant in the treatment of various diseases, thanks to the chemicals it contains.

Sources: BBC Wildlife Magazine, Science & Plants

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