MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Poinsettia

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Poinsettia

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

Alternative Names

Christmas flower poisoning; Lobster plant poisoning; Painted leaf poisoning

Definition Return to top

This is poisoning from touching the sap of the poinsettia plant or the eating parts of the plant.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Diterpene esters

Where Found Return to top

Leaves, stem, sap of the poinsettia plant

Symptoms Return to top

Skin

Redness and swelling
Blistering

Gastrointestinal

Stomach pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Home Care Return to top

If the poison is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is vomiting or has a decreased level of alertness.

Contact your doctor or Poison Control Center for appropriate treatment.

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

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.

If you go to the hospital, bring the plant with you, 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, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

Medicines to treat symptoms
Methods to make the person throw up
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

This plant is not considered very toxic. Patients usually make a full recovery.

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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