Poinsettias are poisonous

Poinsettias are slightly poisonous - caution is especially needed for toddlers.

10/12/2010

Poinsettias enjoy great popularity especially during the Christmas season. Although the varieties available in Germany, in contrast to the wild plants, are hardly poisonous, children who have inadvertently eaten the leaves of the poinsettia should be rinsed out immediately and, in case of doubt, a doctor should be consulted. Ulrich Fegeler, Federal Press Spokesman of the Professional Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ).

Christmas stars can cause abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea
While the native from Mexico wild forms of poinsettia, which contains typical of the family of milkweed latex, which can lead to skin irritation and ingestion in the mouth to poisoning-like symptoms and indigestion, the cultured, commercial Christmas star species are rather harmless. „The poinsettia belongs to the genus of spurge family. Some contain irritating diterpenes, but not the poinsettia. Therefore, you can not call him poisonous“, Professor Regina Karl from the University Hospital of Dusseldorf explained in 2007 to the „South German newspaper“. If children have eaten the leaves or stems of the Christmas plant, poison-like symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and severe diarrhea may still occur. Ulrich Fegeler from the Professional Association of Children and Youth Physicians. In addition, a contact with the sap may cause allergic skin reactions, the expert further.

Although poinsettias in their cultivated form as „hardly toxic“ Parents should promptly rinse their children's mouths if they have eaten parts of the plant, and if they come into contact with the plant sap, thoroughly rinse off the skin to avoid allergic reactions. Ulrich Fegeler. If „If the child is particularly sensitive to the plant, then parents should always seek medical help“, continues the Federal Press Spokesman of the BVKJ. If necessary, the poison emergency call can also be contacted at short notice, the expert emphasized.

Avoid poisonous indoor plants in infants
Since toddlers put much in their environment first in the mouth and try, parents should them „repeatedly admonish not to take any parts of plants in the mouth“ explained Dr. Ulrich Fegeler. „On some plants families with toddlers should do without altogether“ the expert continues. Here a gardener can give information about which plants are suitable, Dr. Fegeler. Toxic room or conservatory plants that should not reach out to the reach of small children are, for example, angel trumpets, cyclamen, amaryllis, Dieffenbachien, cup primroses, magnificent lilies, Orleander and treasury, according to the statement in the latest press release of the BVKJ. „However, if a child has eaten poisonous parts of plants somewhere, supervisors should seek immediate advice from a Poison Control Center or present the child to a first aid department in a hospital“, explained Dr. Fegeler. „In no case should an attempt be made to vomit the child ", emphasized the expert. (Fp)

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Picture: Kurt F. Domnik