It really seems to be a common theme.....injuries from the (Pheonix Cannariensis) Pheonix palm.

I remember being up a ladder, pruning the fronds....a spike got me in the temple, straight down inside my cheek, funny thing was I didnt notice it until I got down (when I started to talk), offsider pulled a spike an inch & a half long out with pliers. I felt quite crook that night, & sore around the side of my head, I thought it might of had some kind of poison in it....the rats urine makes sense.

Dont even think about going close to these beasts with proper eye protection & strong leather gloves. I have found if you get to the trunk...then prune the fronds off to make a space...so you can stand to the side of them & then prune around the tree, doing only 1 circuit of the tree to complete the pruning.

cheers.