Lesson 8: POISONOUS PLANT OVERVIEW

EFFECTS OF POISONOUS PLANTS

There are two ways you can be affected by a poisonous plant: locally and systemically. These are two very different situations, caused by different exposures to a poisonous plant. We’ll look at both situations, and first aid for each.


LOCALIZED REACTIONS

A localized reaction occurs when your skin comes into contact with a poisonous plant that contains poison on its parts. Localized reactions affect only the part of the body that came into contact with the plant’s poison. Poison Ivy will be our example, since it’s so common. POISON IVY is a wild plant found throughout the United States and Southern canada. Poison Ivy contains a substance called URUSHIOL OIL, a substance that causes an allergic reaction in approximately ½ the population of the US. Urushiol oil is contained in the leaves and stems. You must come into direct contact with the oil to be affected. If the leaves and stems of the plant are intact, the oil is contained, and chances of a reaction are minimal. However, Poison Ivy is a very delicate plant, and even the slightest disturbance can release the oil from its leaves. Just rubbing the leaves a bit is enough to release the oil. The oil causes a localized reaction in the area of exposure. The effects of Poison Ivy aren’t usually fatal, but they’re not fun:

• A red rash on any skin that was exposed to the oil.
• Seemingly endless itching.
• Possibly minor swelling at the site.
• Blisters may form, especially if you keep scratching!

• Swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips.
• Shortness of breath.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Weakness or dizziness.
• A blue tinge around the lips and mouth.
• Unconsciousness.

• Severe redness and an intense burning feeling at the site of exposure.
• Any signs of infection, such as a white or green drainage.
• Poison Ivy rash in your mouth, eyes, or genital area.
• A Poison Ivy rash on a large portion of your body or face.

• CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES: The Foxglove and our beautiful Lily of the Valley are two plant that contain a poison called a cardiac glycoside. Cardiac glycosides affect the heart, and symptoms include dizziness, vomiting, an irregular heart beat, delerium, and hallucinations. Interestingly, the cardiac glycoside form the Foxglove is manufactured into Digitalis, a powerful medication used for heart disorders. Unfortunately, if enough of the poison is ingested, and treatment is not immediate, poisoning from a plant containing a cardiac glycoside can be fatal.
• LECTINS: The Castor Bean is one plant that contains a poison called a lectin. Most people can tolerate small amounts of lectins, but in higher amounts, lectins can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, causing gastrointestinal upset. Lectins in high quantities that are absorbed into the bloodstream can also cause cancer. Lectins are found in many bean plants, but fortunately are destroyed by high heat. Always cook your beans thoroughly! The lectin found in the Castor Bean plant is called ricin, which is particularly poisonous. Ricin poisoning can occur due to inhalation, ingestion, or injection of the poison. Symptoms of ricin poisoning include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, a rapid heartbeat, internal bleeding, and eventual liver, kidney, and circulatory failure. In one famous incident, a man was supposedly assassinated by having a ricin pellet jammed into his body with the tip of an umbrella (apparently the tip of the umbrella was hollow and contained the ricin pellet). Aerosolized (airborne) ricin has also been implicated in bioterrorism attacks.
• OXALATES: Rhubarb (the leaves), Philodendron, and Diffenbachia all contain a poisonous compound known as an oxalate. Oxalate poisoning immediately results in intense burning of the mouth and throat, as the oxalate present in the plant leaves are tiny crystals (very sharp). Even small quantities of oxalate will cause this burning. In larger quantities, oxalate poisoning can cause severe gastrointestinal upset and difficulty breathing. In the case of a very large quantity ingested, seizures, coma, and death can occur. It is possible to recover from severe oxalate poisoning, but permanent liver and kidney damage are likely.

• Wash the affected area as soon and as thoroughly as possible. You want to remove as much poison residue as possible. Use a VERY LARGE quantity of water.
• Use calamine lotion or a thick paste of baking soda and water on the affected area. You can also soak in a tub with a good quantity of baking soda in the water. A hydrocortisone cream can also help to control the rash and itching.
• A systemic antihistamine such as Benadryl will help to control the swelling and itching.
• If blisters occur, DON’T pop them!
• Try not to scratch! Scratching will only inflame the rash and make it last longer.

• Seek medical attention! The degree of plant poisoning is relative to the amount ingested, but also to the size of the person. A child or pet may suffer serious poisoning from an amount of poison that would only cause a small reaction in an adult. Since you have no way of knowing how the poison will affect the victim, contact your local poison control center immediately or get to the closest emergency room.
• If you don’t know the name of the plant that was ingested, make sure you have a sample of the plant on hand to describe to the poison control center, or to show the staff in the emergency room, so it can be identified and the victim can be treated accordingly.
• DO NOT induce vomiting in the victim. This can cause even more damage, such as with oxalate poisoning. The oxalate crystals can cause even more damage coming back up. Only induce vomiting on the advice of the poison control center, or your doctor.

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