After care. Once you have the needles out, clean the area, apply antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a bandage, which you should keep clean and dry. If you are in pain, try an over-the-counter analgesic like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

What happens if I get poked by a cactus?

This reaction can lead to pustules that last for months and can result in little black spots of dead skin that need to be cut out. In some cases, the wound may become infected with the bacteria that cause staph infections or gas gangrene.

Are cactus pricks poisonous?

Cactus thorns aren't poisonous. But leaving them inside you could invite infections from other sources. Make sure to get rid of them ASAP. ... Whether you're dealing with the long spines or the deceivingly-fine glochids, be sure to keep the resultant wound clean until it heals.