A Stockport dog walker took horrifying photos that showed off the devastating burns he got after brushing against a Giant Hogweed.
The walker, 56, was going on his usual route with his dog in the Gatley Carrs area on the morning of July 20.
He began feeling a burning sensation hours after he brushed past the plant.
A Stockport dog walker, 56, took photos of the burns he got from a Giant Hogweed, a toxic plant that thrives in hot weather
The burning from the plant had caused a rash by 3pm and then an 'enormous' angry blister two hours later.
The walker then went to the walk-in centre at the Manchester Royal Infirmary at 7pm.
The walker went to the walk-in centre at the Manchester Royal Infirmary (pictured above) at 7pm where he discovered he had been in contact with the Giant Hogweed plant
Giant hogweed sap contains toxic chemicals known as photosensitising furanocoumarins, which react with light when in contact with human skin, causing blistering within 48 hours.
Effectively the toxic sap prevents the skin from protecting itself from sunlight, which can lead to very bad sunburn and scarring.
If accidentally rubbed in the eyes, the sap can cause temporary or even permanent blindness.
Anyone who comes in contact with the weed is advised to cover up the affected area, to prevent the sap reacting with sunlight, and to wash it with soap and water.
The Giant Hogweed, 'Britain's most dangerous plant', thrives in hot weather and can cause serious injuries
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The walker and his wife thought that he was suffering from heat rash or a bite caused by a snack or insect.
They realised he had come into contact with the Giant Hogweed after doing some internet research.
The plant has been found on his dog walking route and his injuries match up with other burns caused by Giant Hogweed.
The resident told the Manchester Evening News : 'I didn’t realise what I was dealing with. In fact, at first, I didn’t know what had caused the problem.
'I thought it was a snake or insect bite, but I couldn’t remember being bitten.
'The blister was growing as I was looking at it.
'It wasn’t until days later we found images online of other people’s injuries from this plant, which were identical to my own. I went back to my route and found this plant growing next to the path where I had walked.
'It is very easy to brush against it.'
Walk-in centre doctors burst the first blister, only for another to grow back.
The walker said he has been forced to go back to the doctors almost daily and will likely be feeling the effects for months, if not years.
He added: 'I have been to the doctors almost every day since Tuesday, as the situation has progressed day on day.
'For the first four days, my leg was swollen from my foot up to my knee.
'I have been feeling nauseous and my skin has
