The Steamboat Pilot & Today

A family trip turned into a medical emergency for Jill Altman and her daughter, Belle Mazzola.

The incident spurred Routt County officials to warn residents about a plant called Myrtle spurge.

Altman, the county's fair coordinator, recently visited her parents in Golden and took 10-year-old Belle along. Belle spent some of her time playing in a field, where a plant's sap got on her hands. Belle then rubbed her face.

The next morning, Belle's face was red and covered with blisters, and she complained of a burning sensation.

Altman put cream on her daughter's face, and the two headed back to the Yampa Valley. By the time they reached Steamboat, Belle's face was swollen and covered with hundreds of blisters.

The family went to the hospital, where Belle was treated with steroids to stop the swelling. But the effects of the plant didn't go away quickly.

"It took a week for it to completely go away," Altman said. "It was nasty stuff."

Altman, who used to work for the county's Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Office, called the office for advice. Her parents sent a picture of the plant, and Extension Service officials identified it as Myrtle spurge.

The plant, once sold as an ornamental, now is on the state's "A-list" of noxious weed species, which means landowners are required to kill it.

The plant made the list because it is invasive to other species and because of the medical problems it can cause. To kill it, use the pesticides Roundup or Weed-B-Gon, county officials said. Anyone who attempts to remove the plant by hand or mow over it should wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt, pants, gloves and eye protection.

C.J. Mucklow, the county's Extension Service director, said the plant has to go.

"It's invasive and it's toxic to people and we need to get rid of it," Mucklow said.