# Prickly Pear Cactus and my diseased arm. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 12, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774 "2010-02-12T20:37:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![valleyofthedolls](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a4c791/32.png) [@valleyofthedolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/valleyofthedolls)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/1 "2010-02-12T20:37:38Z")
So I sort of tripped and fell into my prickly pear cactus (I think that’s what it is anyway) the other day. Now my arm has a ton of tiny little spines embedded in it. It doesn’t hurt so much as look gross, like I have a bad rash. I can’t seem to squeeze them out and they’re too small to grab with tweezers. Any ideas on how to remove these things? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/2 "2010-02-12T20:41:24Z")
Don’t worry, your arm will fall off in a few days. 😃 Try duct tape. Put a strip on your arm and peel off. ---
**Author:** ![valleyofthedolls](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a4c791/32.png) [@valleyofthedolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/valleyofthedolls)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/3 "2010-02-12T20:44:23Z")
Awesome, thank you. I had a friend once who was convinced the world’s problems could be solved with duct tape. Maybe he was right. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/4 "2010-02-12T20:51:30Z")
As noted above, I’ve seen several remedies that involve adhesives. Try spreading a layer of glue over the affected area, let it dry, and peel it off. Super-sticky or waxing tape can be used as well. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/5 "2010-02-12T21:43:56Z")
You might want to see a doctor. I hear they are good at these things. Plus they might have some insight into potential secondary issues like infection. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/6 "2010-02-12T21:56:57Z")
This topic shows up every couple months on this board. I think the Elmer’s School Glue works best. Anything thing that sets up and can peeled off should work though. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/7 "2010-02-12T23:59:57Z")
I’ve used a cut, raw potato successfully. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![valleyofthedolls](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a4c791/32.png) [@valleyofthedolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/valleyofthedolls)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/8 "2010-02-13T06:12:35Z")
Thanks all for the replies. I tried the duct tape first. It got rid of a lot of the spines but not all so I went for the big ammo, Elmer’s Wood Glue (didn’t have the regular stuff) and that cleaned up the rest. It’s nice not having a rotting arm anymore. [QUOTE=Duckster] You might want to see a doctor. I hear they are good at these things. Plus they might have some insight into potential secondary issues like infection. [/QUOTE] Way overkill for my situation. [QUOTE=Twickster] I’ve used a cut, raw potato successfully. [/QUOTE] This idea intrigued me the most (and also seemed the neatest) but all I had on hand was one rather shriveled new potato. I’ll have to keep some potatoes on hand though, the plant is thriving and I am clumsy. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/9 "2010-02-13T19:46:48Z")
> [@valleyofthedolls](#): > > This idea intrigued me the most (and also seemed the neatest) but all I had on hand was one rather shriveled new potato. I’ll have to keep some potatoes on hand though, the plant is thriving and I am clumsy. How about bubbly-plastic-wrapping the cactus instead of regularly de-cactiing your arm? ---
**Author:** ![valleyofthedolls](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a4c791/32.png) [@valleyofthedolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/valleyofthedolls)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/10 "2010-02-13T20:09:13Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > How about bubbly-plastic-wrapping the cactus instead of regularly de-cactiing your arm? I don’t think the cactus would like that. Have you ever seen an angry one? ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/11 "2010-02-13T20:20:29Z")
> [@valleyofthedolls](#): > > I don’t think the cactus would like that. Have you ever seen an angry one? [Yeah, they come for you](http://dma.wtw-x.net/DMA/DigimonStands/Bandai/Togemon.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/12 "2010-02-13T20:36:54Z")
> [@valleyofthedolls](#): > > So I sort of tripped and fell into my prickly pear cactus (I think that’s what it is anyway) the other day. Now my arm has a ton of tiny little spines embedded in it. It doesn’t hurt so much as look gross, like I have a bad rash. I can’t seem to squeeze them out and they’re too small to grab with tweezers. Any ideas on how to remove these things? The only consolation I can offer is that you should be glad you were not attacked by a jumping cholla! Do not ever hug your jumping cholla. In fact, I’d shy away from hugging any cactus, even the prickly pear. Another idea: get a herd of javelina and let them eat your prickly pear. That’s all I got. ---
**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/13 "2010-02-13T22:37:09Z")
> [@valleyofthedolls](#): > > Way overkill for my situation. Generally speaking, if part of you looks gross, it’s time to see a doctor. You can google for emergency care facilities in your area. ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/14 "2010-02-14T18:48:48Z")
I’m still waiting for geneticists to grow spineless cactus :smack: ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/15 "2010-02-14T20:14:55Z")
> [@Gymnopithys](#): > > I’m still waiting for geneticists to grow spineless cactus :smack: They don’t need to – [euphorbia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia) already exist. ---
**Author:** ![valleyofthedolls](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a4c791/32.png) [@valleyofthedolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/valleyofthedolls)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/16 "2010-02-14T21:52:14Z")
> [@umop\_ap\_sdn](#): > > Generally speaking, if part of you looks gross, it’s time to see a doctor. You can google for emergency care facilities in your area. Oh please. It didn’t look great b/c I had dozens and dozens of little pointy things irritating my skin. Once I removed them, thanks to the kindly assistance of some posters, my skin returned to its usual self. I’ll consider your advice, however, should some Jumping Chollas (awesome looking cacti, btw) ever decide to mug me. [QUOTE=twickster] They don’t need to – euphorbia already exist. [/Quote] Are there any euphorbia you might recommend for low light conditions? I haven’t had a problem with pointsettias and my prickly pear is doing surprisingly well but I have killed several plants because of lighting issues. ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/17 "2010-02-14T22:01:43Z")
i have several of these cacti on my farm and enjoy the fruit in season. i pick the fruit myself and in picking, it is impossible not to get some of those tiny prickly things embedded somewhere. I even use rubber gloves to no avail. Like the bigger spikes on the cactus leaves, these tiny ones have barbs, and so they are difficult to remove in their entirety. soaking in water helps. in a few days they disappear anyway, absorbed i imagine. they can be a royal pain, especially if you have many embedded. but not to worry, apply some topical ointment of your choice and try to forget about them. their bigger brothers are another story. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/18 "2010-02-14T23:06:48Z")
> [@Gymnopithys](#): > > I’m still waiting for geneticists to grow spineless cactus :smack: [http://www.arhomeandgarden.org/plantoftheweek/articles/Thornless\_Prickly\_Pear.htm](http://www.arhomeandgarden.org/plantoftheweek/articles/Thornless_Prickly_Pear.htm) ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/19 "2010-02-14T23:13:57Z")
Euphorbia is quite possibly the most variable plant genus; to the extent that simply mentioning the genus without a species is nearly meaningless. Do a google image search and skim over a couple pages: you’ll see everything from [trees](http://www.grln.net/photogallery/WeenenEuphorbia.jpg), to tiny [spiny](http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/EUPHORBIA/Euphorbia_ferox/Euphorbia_ferox/Euphorbia_ferox.htm) [cacti](http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/EUPHORBIA/Euphorbia_pulvinata/Euphorbia_pulvinata/Euphorbia_pulvinata.htm), to [poinsettias](http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week059.shtml), to a baby’s breath looking [thing](http://www.missouriplants.com/Whitealt/Euphorbia_corollata_page.html), to big blowsy English-cottage-garden [flowers](http://www.calfloranursery.com/images/pics/e_f/euphorbia_limewall-2.jpg), to god knows what. My knowledge of plants is not exhaustive, but it’s extensive, and I’d be surprised if there were more than one or two genii with as wide an extreme of variability. ---
**Author:** ![valleyofthedolls](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a4c791/32.png) [@valleyofthedolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/valleyofthedolls)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774/20 "2010-02-14T23:58:54Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Euphorbia is quite possibly the most variable plant genus; to the extent that simply mentioning the genus without a species is nearly meaningless. Do a google image search and skim over a couple pages: you’ll see everything from [trees](http://www.grln.net/photogallery/WeenenEuphorbia.jpg), to tiny [spiny](http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/EUPHORBIA/Euphorbia_ferox/Euphorbia_ferox/Euphorbia_ferox.htm) [cacti](http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/EUPHORBIA/Euphorbia_pulvinata/Euphorbia_pulvinata/Euphorbia_pulvinata.htm), to [poinsettias](http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week059.shtml), to a baby’s breath looking [thing](http://www.missouriplants.com/Whitealt/Euphorbia_corollata_page.html), to big blowsy English-cottage-garden [flowers](http://www.calfloranursery.com/images/pics/e_f/euphorbia_limewall-2.jpg), to god knows what. My knowledge of plants is not exhaustive, but it’s extensive, and I’d be surprised if there were more than one or two genii with as wide an extreme of variability. For the context of this thread, it was euphorbia that look similar to cacti. I know there are a lot of those, as well but was wondering if there are any that have stood out as good indoor plants that don’t need a lot of light. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prickly-pear-cactus-and-my-diseased-arm/528774.md?page=2)