MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Poinsettia

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Poinsettia

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Home Treatment Before Calling Emergency Poison Control, or a local emergency number What to expect at the emergency room Expectations (prognosis)

Alternative names

Christmas flower; Lobster plant; Painted leaf

Definition Return to top

Poisoning from contact with the sap of the plant or the eating of it.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Often thought to be toxic, but toxicity rarely occurs.

Where Found Return to top

leaves, stem, sap of the poinsettia plant

Symptoms Return to top

skin
- irritation
- blistering
gastrointestinal
- abdominal pain
- nausea and/or vomiting
- diarrhea

Home Treatment Return to top

Wash off skin if irritation is felt from exposure. Dilute with water or milk for ingestion. Contact Poison Control Center for appropriate treatment.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the name of the plant
the time it was swallowed
the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number Return to top

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the plant with you to the emergency room.

Eating this plant does not usually result in a trip to the hospital.

What to expect at the emergency room Return to top

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

induce vomiting
gastric lavage
monitor vital signs

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Very good. This plant is not considered very toxic.

Update Date: 2/23/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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