MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Lily-of-the-valley

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Lily-of-the-valley

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Before Calling Emergency Poison Control What to Expect at the Emergency Room Outlook (Prognosis)

Alternative Names

Liljekonvall

Definition Return to top

This is poisoning from eating parts of the lily-of-the-valley plant.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Convallarin
Convallamarin

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found Return to top

The fruit, leaves, flowers, and roots of the lily-of-the-valley plant.

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat

Blurred vision
Halos around objects (yellow, green, white)
Excessive urination at night

Skin

Rash
Hives

Gastrointestinal

Loss of appetite
Vomiting or nausea
Stomach pain
Diarrhea

Heart and blood

Irregular or slow heartbeat

Nervous system

Drowsiness
Confusion
Depression
Headache
Fainting
Lethargy
Disorientation
Weakness

Note: Depression, loss of appetite, and halos are usually only seen in chronic overdose cases.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the plant, if known
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control Return to top

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Bring the plant with you to the emergency room, if possible.

See National Poison Control Center.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room Return to top

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, blood pressure, and heart function.

The patient may receive:

EKG
Medicines to treat symptoms
Medicines to make the person throw up
Medicine to reverse the effect of the poison
Activated charcoal
Laxative
Blood tests to determine serum magnesium levels and serum potassium levels
Treatment to correct electrolyte (potassium, magnesium) imbalances

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

If the individual survives the first 24 hours their chances of survival are very good.

Update Date: 3/21/2006

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

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