$Unique_ID{BRK00902}
$Pretitle{Accidents, Poisoning, and Violence}
$Title{Warning About the Dangers of Seasonal Plants at Christmas}
$Subject{plants poison Christmas}
$Volume{O-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Warning About the Dangers of Seasonal Plants at Christmas


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QUESTION:  With Christmas soon upon us, shouldn't you be warning your readers
about the dangers of the plants that go with the season.  We nearly lost my
brother, when as a child, he ate some of the berries off our holly
decorations.  You would be performing a real public service by telling people
about this.

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ANSWER:  With an eye on the calendar, your suggestion is a timely one, as well
as important.  The National Clearinghouse for Poison Control Centers
identified plants as the leading cause of poisonings in children under five
years of age.  In fact, plants were responsible for an amazing 11% of all
toxic reactions to swallowed or eaten materials.  The good news is that the
few children had to be hospitalized and none died.  But precaution is the
watchword, for death may result from serious poisonings.  Three plants are
linked to the traditional Christmas Celebrations, and all three have dangers.
They are Holly, Mistletoe and Pointsettia.  For the holly and mistletoe it is
the berries that carry the danger.  The berries of the holly provoke
gastrointestinal distress and narcosis, while mistletoe berries also react on
the GI system, plus slowing down the heart.  In both cases it may be necessary
to have the stomach washed out depending upon the severity of the symptoms.
If more than 4 hours have passed between the ingestion and discovery, and no
symptoms have developed, you are probably safe.  Pointsettia leaves, stem and
milky sap may, in rare cases, cause a skin rash on contact, and GI symptoms
when swallowed.  Gastric washing is only indicated when large amounts have
been eaten.  The holiday health tip; enjoy the beauty of these holiday plants
but keep them away from children.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
