I have the exact problem after hiking on a remote cattle ranch in NM!
It's been 6 years, and I've seen at least 6 dermatologist's. 2 Rheumatologist's due to severe joint swelling & pain.
I have brought research papers on prickly pear glochids, that describe my symptoms exactly. For six weeks I hiked this rural, cactus infested ranch. I picked Prickly Pears with leather gloves, and could never wear them again, due to the glochids penetrating the leather, and never came out. I had glochids embedded everywhere, with no information available to help. My skin is scarred, and granulomas have formed filled with these spines.
I was labeled a picker, like the other gentleman, and turned away, repeatedly, with absolutely no relief.
I have several environmental allergies, and the embedded glochids cause my skin to erupt. My health deteriorated rapidly over the years. I called Mayo Clinic 3 times and begged them to help me. I was turned away.
Drs need to listen to what happened to the patient. From the beginning, I told them, I was exposed to them for 6 weeks, and would try to scub them out everynight with a buff puff.
I now know that was the worst thing I could have done. Someone please help me find a Dr will listen, and help me. I have become a recluse, and want someone to listen & help!