Hi My name is Amanda, I was in BC 3 weeks ago and went hiking along Hopewell Canyon down to the fraser river up near Williams Lake BC and when I was hiking I got a cactus thru the hand, since then ive had these dots on my hand that stick out quite a bit from my hand and appear to be abnormal,there seems to be something stuck in my hand underneath the skin perhaps, there seems to be alittle black dort and the bumps seem to be like blisters under my skin. I would like to identify the cactus to see wether or not its a safe one, and wether or not i should get my hand checked out by a doctor, or wether or not it wil go away? The cactus had individual pods on it with large needles that once got in hand were difficult to pull out, it grew close to the ground (not tall). Ive searched on google and the net and have only found this similar photo with no plant name http://www.gooby.ca/gallery/TaylorToCactusPoint/DSC01117 if anyone can help me that would be great, its probably nothing to worry about, but as ive never really seen a cactus before in canada or got one in the hand with wounds like this i just wonder and want to be on the safe side. thanks -Amanda Light.air.wind.fire.water@htomail.com
I don't think that any of our B.C. cacti are poisoneous. Try soaking your paw in epson salts for as long as you can. Clean up with alcohol(externaly) and it will go away.
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1SEC817525 Lists types and distribution of cacti in Canada. Only four and it states that the Opuntia (prickly pear family) have a spine(glochid) with barbs which seems to fit your condition. Harry
Looks like Opuntia fragilis. The spines can break off under the skin (I speak from personal experience) and can then become infected. Warm epsom salt baths can help, and in time, you should be able to remove the spine, or you will heal around it.