Prickly Pear Spine Removal Caution

All Opuntias not only have normal spines, but they also have thin barbed spines barely visible, named glochids.
These can get stuck in your skin and be very irritating.
In some species, they are particularly light and can become airborne when the Opuntia is moved.
Wetting the plant before handling it might be a good prevention.
Remember to Always Remove Spines Before Eating,
I use a good sharp knife to scrape the Nopal while holding it with a clothes pin.
If you do get pricked, be patient and remove spines with tweezers trying not to let them break while still in skin or else they will just be all the more difficult to remove.