Man's Finger Turns Black, Faces Amputation After Thistle Prick, Delayed Treatment

(CNA reporter Hsiao Po-yang, Nantou County, 8th) A man surnamed Wu was pricked by a Tataca thistle but thought nothing of it. The wound worsened, and his entire index finger turned black. The Yushan Medical Team, providing consultations at Paiyun Lodge, administered emergency treatment to Mr. Wu and arranged for him to descend the mountain for further care, preventing bacteria from entering his bloodstream and causing systemic sepsis. Mr. Wu, a resident of Xinyi Township, was clearing the area around a high-mountain cabin when his right index finger was inadvertently pricked by a Tataca thistle, a plant species from the Asteraceae family endemic to Taiwan. Mr. Wu initially dismissed it as a minor scratch, but three weeks later, the wound worsened, and his entire finger turned black. Fortunately, he encountered the Yushan Medical Team from Chushan Show-Chwan Hospital, which conducts weekly clinics on the mountain. They arranged for him to descend for debridement, saving him from a possible amputation. Chushan Show-Chwan Hospital stated today that Mr. Wu felt a slight sting when his finger touched the sharp thorn while clearing the Tataca thistles but paid it no mind as it seemed trivial. However, a tiny piece of the thorn likely broke off and remained in his skin. The wound developed from a small pustule to a red, swollen, and black finger. The medical team leader, Dr. Chuang Pi-kun, who is also the superintendent of Chushan Show-Chwan Hospital, was consulted by Mr. Wu at Paiyun Lodge. Dr. Chuang stated that if the bacteria continued to multiply, the tissue would swell further, compressing nerves and muscles, which could very likely lead to cell necrosis. At that point, the finger might require amputation. Therefore, he sternly instructed the patient, "You can't delay any longer, you must go down the mountain first thing tomorrow morning." The hospital urgently arranged for surgical debridement and administered antibiotic treatment. After a week of careful care from the medical staff, the patient was successfully discharged. Mr. Wu expressed his gratitude to the Yushan Medical Team for their timely treatment, without which the consequences would have been dire. Through Chushan Show-Chwan Hospital, the Yushan National Park Headquarters reminds the public that wild plants such as the Tataca thistle, Yushan thistle, Alishan thistle, Yushan barberry, and juniper have sharp thorns on their surfaces. If accidentally pricked, one should thoroughly inspect, clean, and disinfect the wound. If the wound shows signs of redness, swelling, heat, pain, or pus, medical attention should be sought. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150608