Stinging plants
If you think someone is having a severe allergic reaction, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Key facts
- Stinging plants have tiny hairs on them that sting you if you touch them.
- These stings can be very painful and some people have a severe allergic reaction.
- If you get stung by a stinging tree, try to remove the hairs from your skin and see a doctor.
- A stinging nettle sting usually gets better after a few hours.
- The sting from a stinging tree can last a few months.
What are the types of stinging plants?
There are several stinging plants in Australia that can cause pain if your skin touches them.
It's important to be aware that stings from plants can cause anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) in some people.
What are stinging nettles?
Stinging nettles (Urtica incisa, Urtica urens and Urtica dioica) are often thought of as weeds in Australia.
Stinging nettles are found in damp areas and grow about one metre high. They have small green flowers and their leaves are opposite each other on the stem.
What are stinging trees?
Stinging trees are usually found in rainforests in eastern Australia. There are 4 common types of stinging trees.
- Atherton Tableland stinger (Dendrocnide cordata), which grows up to 4 metres high.
- Giant stinging tree (Dendrocnide excelsa), which grows over 30 metres high.
- Gympie-gympie (Dendrocnide moroides), which grows up to 2 metres high.
- Shiny leaf stinging tree (Dendrocnide photinophylla), which grows up to 20 metres high.
Stinging trees are part of the same family as European stinging nettles. Stinging trees are covered in tiny hairs. This includes their:
- leaves
- stems
- fruit
Young leaves have more hairs than older leaves. These hairs cause the sting.
The Gympie-Gympie is thought to have the most painful sting. The leaves of the Gympie-Gympie can range in size from a thumbnail to more than 50cm wide.
The fruit look a bit like mulberries, but can be white, pink or dark red in colour.
What symptoms are related to a stinging plant sting?
If you think someone is having an allergic reaction, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. If you have access to an allergy action plan, follow it, and use an adrenaline autoinjector (such as an EpiPen™) if you have one.
What symptoms are related to a stinging nettle sting?
Contact with a stinging nettle can cause your skin to:
- go red
- itch
- swell
- have an intense burning sensation
Your rash may be painful for a few hours after you are stung. If you are very sensitive your symptoms may last up to 36 hours.
What symptoms are related to a stinging tree sting?
The hairs from a stinging tree cause severe stinging or sharp tingling if your skin touches them.
The sting can get worse for the next 20 minutes to 30 minutes.
The injured area becomes covered in small red spots. The spots join to form a swollen red area. This can last for 8 hours or more.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
What causes a stinging plant sting?
What causes a stinging nettle sting?
Nettles have tiny hairs on the leaves and stems. If you touch them, you will get a painful sting.
What causes a stinging tree sting?
Stinging trees also have fine hairs which cause the sting. The hairs on stinging trees carry a neurotoxin. A neurotoxin is something that damages your nervous system.
The hairs pierce your skin and can break off. The sting lasts as long as the hairs are in your skin. The pain from broken hairs can last for days to months.
The stinging-tree neurotoxin doesn't break down over time or from cold or heat. Stinging tree leaves that have been kept for nearly 100 years can still cause pain.
When should I see my doctor?
If you think someone is having an allergic reaction, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. If you have access to an allergy action plan, follow it, and use an adrenaline autoinjector (such as an EpiPen™) if you have one.
See a doctor if the pain from a stinging nettle sting doesn't improve after 2 hours.
You should also see a doctor if you get stung by a stinging tree.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
Anaphylaxis
Sometimes, people can have an anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) to a stinging plant.
In cases of severe allergic reaction, your whole body reacts within minutes to the sting. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. It can be fatal (cause death).
Symptoms of anaphylaxis are:
- difficult or noisy breathing
- a swollen tongue
- swelling or tightness in your throat
- wheeze or persistent cough
- a hoarse voice or difficulty talking
- persistent dizziness or collapse
Young children may become pale and floppy.
How are stings from stinging plants treated?
How are stings from nettles treated?
Nettle stings usually do not cause any lasting problems unless you are allergic to them.
There are a few things you can do to treat the sting from a stinging nettle.
Self-care at home
Wash the affected area with soap and water. This helps to treat the pain and remove the nettle hairs. Don't scratch or rub the area, even if it's itchy.
Put a damp cloth or ice pack on the area.
Medicines for stings from nettles
You can use antihistamines to treat any itchiness and swelling.
Always speak with your pharmacist or doctor before starting a new medicine.
How are stinging tree stings treated?
Do not use liquid wax directly on your skin. This will cause the hairs to break, causing you more pain. It will also make the hairs difficult to remove.
There is no agreed upon first aid treatment for a stinging tree sting.
If you're stung by a stinging tree use hair-removal wax strip to remove the fine hairs.
You can buy hair-removal wax strips from the supermarket or a pharmacy.
The Australian Tropical Research Foundation (AUSTROP) developed the use of hair-removal wax to treat stinging tree stings. Although designed to remove human hairs it also works to remove stinging tree hairs.
Do not scratch or rub the area — this can break off the hairs and make them very hard to remove.
How can I prevent being stung by a stinging plant?
As a rule, avoid contact with plants with furry, heart-shaped leaves and saw-toothed edges.
You can help protect yourself from stinging plants by wearing:
- long thick pants
- a long-sleeved shirt
- a hat
- thick gardening gloves
Remember that your clothes may collect the hairs from stinging plants. It's important to be careful when taking your clothes off.
Resources and support
The following services have more information about how to manage allergies and treat stings.
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy recommends that adrenaline is used to treat a severe allergic reaction. For more information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.
Visit the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy's webpage on allergy and anaphylaxis.
If you have been stung and are not sure what to do, call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: March 2025
