Leading plastic surgeon Simon Eccles has warned that avocados should carry warning labels after a surge in knife injuries caused by cutting the fruit. He treats around four patients a week at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for such wounds, which staff have dubbed 'avocado hand'.
The injuries often occur when people try to remove the stone from an avocado by holding it in the palm of their hand and stabbing it with a knife. The knife can easily slip and penetrate the hand, causing severe damage to nerves and tendons.
Mr Eccles said the trend has increased with the fruit's growing popularity, and he is calling for clearer safety guidance on how to prepare avocados safely. He recommends using a chopping board and cutting the fruit lengthways around the stone, then twisting to separate the halves.
