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Don't Eat That! 6 Poisonous Plants to Avoid This Holiday Season

Key Points

  • The article discusses six plants that are often used for decoration during the holiday season but can cause health issues if ingested or touched: Poinsettias, Mistletoe, Holly Berries, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Sumac, Oleander, and Lilly-of-the-Valley.
  • Poinsettias can cause skin irritation and mild nausea if their leaves are eaten, and may trigger an allergic reaction in people with latex allergies.
  • Mistletoe, Holly Berries, and the Lilly-of-the-Valley can cause symptoms like nausea, blurred vision, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and changes in blood pressure if ingested, and are especially dangerous to pets.
  • Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Sumac can cause skin rashes, which may require medical treatment depending on the severity of the reaction.
  • Oleander is particularly dangerous, as ingestion can be fatal for both humans and animals, causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, fatigue, and irregular heartbeat.

We often refer to November, and December as the "holiday season." With this season comes gifts of plants and decorating with flora and fauna. As pretty as some of these plants are, if eaten, they can also cause some health issues. Here are six poisonous plants to avoid.

Don't Eat That! 6 Poisonous Plants to Avoid This Holiday Season

Key Points

  • The article discusses six plants that are often used for decoration during the holiday season but can cause health issues if ingested or touched: Poinsettias, Mistletoe, Holly Berries, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Sumac, Oleander, and Lilly-of-the-Valley.
  • Poinsettias can cause skin irritation and mild nausea if their leaves are eaten, and may trigger an allergic reaction in people with latex allergies.
  • Mistletoe, Holly Berries, and the Lilly-of-the-Valley can cause symptoms like nausea, blurred vision, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and changes in blood pressure if ingested, and are especially dangerous to pets.
  • Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Sumac can cause skin rashes, which may require medical treatment depending on the severity of the reaction.
  • Oleander is particularly dangerous, as ingestion can be fatal for both humans and animals, causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, fatigue, and irregular heartbeat.

We often refer to November, and December as the "holiday season." With this season comes gifts of plants and decorating with flora and fauna. As pretty as some of these plants are, if eaten, they can also cause some health issues. Here are six poisonous plants to avoid.

Poinsettias

While many think these beautiful plants can cause severe harm and even death, that isn't the case. According to the Mayo Clinic what they can do is irritate the skin causing a rash if you come in contact with the sap. If you do get sap on your skin, wash the area with soap and water and use a cold compress to stop itching.

If leaves are eaten, only mild nausea or stomach upset occurs. Still, both of these don't sound like fun so stay away from their sap and don't eat the leaves. In addition, the Mayo Clinic says people with latex allergies may experience an allergic reaction to poinsettias and may need to find an urgent care center to receive medical treatment.

Mistletoe

The "kissing" Christmas plant is part of the Phoradendron species and contains phoratoxin. If eaten you may experience nausea, blurred vision, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a change in blood pressure. It's not just those pretty green leaves that are poisonous, the berries are as well. About.com's Dr. Anne Marie Helmenstine says if your child eats one to two berries, it's probably okay, but even one berry is dangerous to pets. She recommends seeking out retail clinics offering emergency care if your child ingests any part of mistletoe.

Holly Berries

Holly berries are also tempting to small children and often used as decorations during the holiday season. Again, while ingesting one or two berries may not cause any problems, eating a handful may cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pains.

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Sumac

All of these plants will cause a skin rash says WebMD. The site also offers a great photo on how to identify each plant. Symptoms of the skin rash, known as contact dermatitis can become red, itchy, and may appear as red lines or streaks or fluid-filled bumps. Hives are also a common symptom of coming in contact with these poisonous plants.

Treatment may depend on how your body reacts to these plants. If you're severely allergic and the rash spreads quickly and is extremely painful or itchy, find a walk-in clinic near you as a physician may prescribe corticosteroid pills to rid your body of extreme dermatitis. For most, however, antihistamines, calamine lotion, and cool compresses will reduce symptoms.  

Oleander

The oleander is poisonous to both humans and animals. If a child eats just one oleander leaf, it can be fatal. For adults, just one leaf produces vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, fatigue, and sometimes an irregular heartbeat.

Anyone that ingests any part of an oleander should head to the closest urgent care center where vomiting is induced. Sometimes pumping the stomach is necessary as well as ingesting charcoal to absorb the poison.

Lilly-of-the-Valley

LiveScience.com says this flowered plant is "entirely poisonous from the tips of their tiny bell-shaped white flowers to the water where they are placed." If eaten, expect pain in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and cramping. Like the oleander, treatment includes ingesting charcoal or pumping the stomach.

Avoiding these poisonous plants (flowers and berries) this season is a wise thing to do.

Frequently asked questions

  • What are some common holiday plants that can be harmful if ingested?

    Some common holiday plants that can be harmful if ingested include Poinsettias, Mistletoe, Holly Berries, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Sumac, Oleander, and Lilly-of-the-Valley.
  • What symptoms can occur if someone comes into contact with the sap of a Poinsettia?

    Contact with the sap of a Poinsettia can cause skin irritation and a rash. If the leaves are eaten, it can cause mild nausea or stomach upset.
  • What are the potential health risks of ingesting Mistletoe?

    If Mistletoe is ingested, symptoms can include nausea, blurred vision, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and a change in blood pressure. The berries of the plant are also poisonous and can be particularly dangerous to pets.
  • What symptoms can occur if Holly Berries are ingested?

    If Holly Berries are ingested, it can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pains.
  • What reactions can Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Sumac cause?

    Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Sumac can cause a skin rash known as contact dermatitis. Symptoms can include red, itchy skin, red lines or streaks, or fluid-filled bumps. Hives are also a common symptom.
  • What are the potential health risks of ingesting Oleander?

    Ingesting Oleander can be fatal, especially for children. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, fatigue, and sometimes an irregular heartbeat.
  • What symptoms can occur if Lilly-of-the-Valley is ingested?

    If Lilly-of-the-Valley is ingested, symptoms can include pain in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and cramping.
  • What should you do if you or someone else ingests a poisonous plant?

    If a poisonous plant is ingested, you should seek immediate medical attention. Depending on the plant and the amount ingested, treatment may include inducing vomiting, pumping the stomach, or ingesting charcoal to absorb the poison.

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