How to Remove Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus Spines from Skin

Cholla Cactus Segments

Sooner or later people who live in the Sonoran desert will get a cactus spine in them if they go hiking where the cholla cactus grow. Getting stuck by a spine from one of these is incredibly painful, and the faster the spine is removed, the faster the pain will subside. Getting them out is tricky, because the spine grows from a sphere with a center from which all the needles protrude, so you shouldn't use your hand to remove them, or risk getting stuck there, too.

Things You'll Need

• A comb

Instructions

Removing Cholla Cactus Stickers Quickly

1. Put a comb in the glove box of the car that you are using to drive to your hike.

2. Remove the comb from the glove box and put it in your purse or pocket before you leave the parking lot.

3. Take the comb out if you get spines on your shoes, your clothes, or any other body part, and put the teeth of the comb between the cactus needles and your skin, and pull it off.

4. Discard the stickers off the path, so others won't be affected by them, either.

Tips & Warnings

• Cholla cactus are some of the most painful of stickers to meet first hand, physically. Avoid them, and pay attention to where your feet are if you are walking in a cholla cactus forest. They stick to shoes as well as everything else, and the spine can work its way into your shoe's sole.

• The skin will hurt for several minutes after you pull the stickers out, and maybe even longer.

• If you fall into a batch of cholla spines, you might have to go to the ER to get treatment. These are exceedingly painful, and can cause shock. If you or someone in your party is in extreme pain or gets shocky, get medical treatment quickly.