Presentation
Clinical presentation is dependent on the route of exposure. It includes pain and edema in the oral cavity following biting the leaves or the stem of the plant. Direct oral contact with the plant juice can also cause symptoms. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
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Despite the cardiovascular effects, central nervous system (CNS) toxicity is the primary reason most methamphetamine users present for medical care. Patients are typically anxious and aggressive, and life-threatening agitation may occur. [mhmedical.com]
Two types of intercellular crystals are present in the tissue of this popular foliage pl ... See Details AUTHOR(S) : Dore, W. G. TITLE : The nature of Dieffenbachia toxicity. [accessdata.fda.gov]
Entire Body System
- Falling
It's also important to consider that the plant's location might be ideal for one or two seasons, but you might have to move it around when fall or winter arrives. [gardentabs.com]
Diseases and Pests If the leaves are turning pale, wilting, rippling or even falling off, waterlogging is usually the cause. Root rot can even take hold. This is visible even in colder locations. [mygarden.com]
Plant outdoors in the early spring and water twice a week until the end of summer and early fall. [thespruce.com]
He bit the plant following a dare Jun 10, 2015 Deborah Condon There are many reasons why people may end up in a doctor's surgery after a party - too much alcohol, food poisoning, a fall. [irishhealth.com]
Leaves will periodically roll up and fall off to make way for new leaves. Yellowing of the leaves is generally a sign of problematic conditions, such as a nutrient deficiency in the soil. [eol.org]
- Severe Pain
In such cases, symptoms generally include severe pain which can last for several days to weeks. Hospitalization may be necessary if prolonged contact is made with the throat, in which severe swelling has the potential to affect breathing. [en.wikipedia.org]
Gastrointestinal
- Nausea
Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain typically begin 2 – 24 hours after ingestion and may last several days. [kidemergencies.com]
Early symptoms of ingestion include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, wild hallucinations, delirium and severe headache. [listverse.com]
Poisonous Ingredient Return to top Oxalic acid Asparagine, a protein found in this plant Symptoms Return to top Burning in mouth or throat Damage to cornea of the eye Diarrhea Eye pain Hoarse voice Nausea or vomiting Swelling in mouth or tongue Home Care [pacificschoolserver.org]
Burning in mouth or throat Damage to cornea of the eye Diarrhea Eye pain Hoarse voice Nausea or vomiting Swelling and blistering in the mouth or tongue Blistering and swelling in the mouth may be severe enough to prevent normal speaking and swallowing [salud.wikiplus.org]
Poisonous ingredients include: Oxalic acid Asparagine, a protein found in this plant Symptoms may include: Blisters in the mouth Burning in mouth and throat Diarrhea Hoarse voice Increased saliva production Nausea and vomiting Pain on swallowing Redness [medlineplus.gov]
- Abdominal Pain
Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain typically begin 2 – 24 hours after ingestion and may last several days. [kidemergencies.com]
Early symptoms of ingestion include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, wild hallucinations, delirium and severe headache. [listverse.com]
- Choking
Even non-poisonous plants can cause choking if someone tries to eat them. Every situation is different; these lists are just a guide. If someone eats a poisonous plant, call Poison Control for advice. Find out the names of your plants. [poison.org]
Eyes
- Eye Pain
The part of the message saying eye contact with this plant can make you permanently blind is a certain hoax, because the fact is that it results in eye pain, redness and lid swelling only, according to eMedicine. [hoaxorfact.com]
Poisonous Ingredient Return to top Oxalic acid Asparagine, a protein found in this plant Symptoms Return to top Burning in mouth or throat Damage to cornea of the eye Diarrhea Eye pain Hoarse voice Nausea or vomiting Swelling in mouth or tongue Home Care [pacificschoolserver.org]
Burning in mouth or throat Damage to cornea of the eye Diarrhea Eye pain Hoarse voice Nausea or vomiting Swelling and blistering in the mouth or tongue Blistering and swelling in the mouth may be severe enough to prevent normal speaking and swallowing [salud.wikiplus.org]
The Emedicine article notes that “Ocular exposure may result in eye pain, redness, and lid swelling”, but makes no mention of permanent blindness. [hoax-slayer.com]
Exposure of the eye to the plant can be particularly painful and the same article in the Ezine notes that “Ocular exposure may result in eye pain, redness, and lid swelling”, but makes no mention of permanent blindness. [wellbody.net]
Skin
- Eczema
While ingestion can cause vomiting and diarrhea, exposure can cause temporary skin eczema AND contact with the eyes can cause temporary blindness, this is not always the case. [listverse.com]
- Flushing
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Neurologic
- Irritability
Abstract A 70-year-old woman suffered severe irritation in her oral cavity after biting Dieffenbachia amoena petiole. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Examples of gastrointestinal irritants include: Aloe Buckeye-Horse Chestnut Carnation Daffodil Eucalyptus Geranium Hyacinth Pokeweed Pyracantha Skin irritants Contact with the leaves or sap of skin-irritant plants can cause a condition called dermatitis [chop.edu]
The risk of irritation from Dieffenbachia is not news. People have been aware of its properties as an irritant since at least the first century A.D. [snopes.com]
Their sap is irritating because of the presence of this component that appears in form of crystals that damages the skin tissues by contact when injected. The calcium oxalate is also a cause for spew, irritating and inflammatory properties. [mohanbn.com]
- Burning Sensation
Health Effects: Skin: Potential burning and itching from contact with the "juice " of the plant. Handling of intact leaves is unlikely to cause symptoms. Ingestion: Immediate pain and burning sensation of the mouth and lips. [dpic.org]
sensation and then loss of speech in humans – hence the name dumb plant. [ncfnigeria.org]
The signs and symptoms of Dieffenbachia Poisoning may include: Burning sensation in the mouth and throat Swelling of the mouth and tongue; unable to speak clearly (hoarseness) Formation of mouth ulcers that may affect the functions of speaking and swallowing [dovemed.com]
It can cause temporary burning sensation, redness of skin. In children and pet animals, intake and sometimes contact of this plant oral irritation, excessive drooling and local swelling. [hoaxorfact.com]
If a leaf is chewed, these crystals can cause a temporary burning sensation and erythema. In rare cases, edema of tissues exposed to the plant has been reported. [eol.org]
- Headache
Signs and symptoms of poisoning are identical to cyanide poisoning and can include headache, dizziness, coma, seizure and poor heart function. [kidemergencies.com]
Early symptoms of ingestion include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, wild hallucinations, delirium and severe headache. [listverse.com]
Treatment
Treatment includes respiratory support. Water or milk can be given to alleviate oral and throat irritation; some clinicians recommend first generation antihistamines. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
It should be noted that treatment recommendations are based on reports, not on clinical trials. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. [pacificschoolserver.org]
The authors offer first aid recommendations and discuss advanced medical treatment based on the latest published literature. [books.google.com]
Prognosis
The prognosis of Dieffenbachia Poisoning is dependent on the amount of substance consumed, time between consumption and treatment, severity of the symptoms, as well as general health status of the patient If the individual can recover from the symptoms [dovemed.com]
Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top In rare cases, these plants may cause swelling severe enough to block the airways. Update Date: 2/17/2009 Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. [pacificschoolserver.org]
Epidemiology
Epidemiology Frequency United States In 2013, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 5248 single exposures to plants containing oxalates. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Pathophysiology
[…] names for these plants include the following: Spathiphyllum – Spath, peace lily Euphorbia pulcherrima – Poinsettia, Christmas flower, lobster plant Ilex – Holly Philodendron – Cordaturn, horsehead, red emerald, red princess Dieffenbachia – Dumbcane Pathophysiology [emedicine.medscape.com]
Prevention
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. Take the plant with you to the hospital, if possible. [salud.wikiplus.org]
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. Take the plant with you to the hospital, if possible. [medlineplus.gov]
If there is swelling that prevents the child taking anything by mouth or causes difficulty breathing, go to the nearest emergency department immediately. [chop.edu]