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Poinsettia
Plant
Rose Ann Gould
Soloway
The poinsettia
plant is often considered deadly. That's wrong.
Poinsettia can be
irritating but it is not fatal if eaten.
If children and
pets eat it, they can develop a mouth rash and stomach upset. The sap can cause
a skin rash, too.
The Full Story
The poinsettia is
well known for its bright red and green colors.
It is a very common
household plant, especially around the winter holidays.
The plant was first
discovered in Mexico and brought into the United States by the first minister
to Mexico, Dr. Joel Poinsett.
This festive plant
is not deadly, but some stories just won't go away.
Over a hundred
years ago, a child was found next to a wild poinsettia plant. He died and
people blamed the plant. This hasn't happened since.
Researchers even
tried to find out what the poisonous dose of poinsettia might be and they just
couldn't, even after reaching experimental doses of about 1.25 pounds (500-600
leaves).
The plant does not
have dangerous effects when eaten.
In most cases,
exposure to any parts of the poinsettia plant in children or pets has very
little if any effect.
If swallowed, it
may cause mild irritation: nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Touching it may cause
a rash.
There have been
reports of gardeners who work with the plant frequently developing a rash from
handling the plant.
So, you don't have
to completely eliminate the plant from your home. After all, it makes for a
great holiday décor.
But you still
should prevent your child or pet from swallowing it by storing it out of their
reach. It can pose a choking hazard.
And, it is always
nice to avoid having to deal with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or a skin rash.
This Really
Happened
On Christmas Day, a 10-month-old
child put a small piece of a leaf from a poinsettia plant in his mouth. His
mother was concerned and called Poison Control for advice.
The poison specialist reassured the
mother that no problems were expected. The mom was advised to simply wipe the
child’s mouth and to give him something to drink.
Rose
Ann Gould Soloway,
RN, BSN, MSEd, DABAT emerita
Clinical Toxicologist
Clinical Toxicologist
Serkalem
Mekonnen, RN, BSN, MPH
Certified Specialist in Poison Information
Certified Specialist in Poison Information
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