How to avoid toxic flowers
By George Nava True II on March 27, 2009
As I mentioned in my previous article, children under age 5 are the usual victims of plant poisoning owing to their curious nature. At this age, it is hard to resist the allure of bright-colored and sweet-smelling flowers even if some of them are poisonous.
“Lots of plants are poisonous or capable of causing highly allergic reactions. Some will also pierce you with their sharp spines. Few actually do lasting harm but some should be treated with care and respect,” according to doctors at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Australia.
“Many plants have poisonous bulbs or roots but as these are usually safely underground, they are not likely to poison anyone. Others taste so awful that it is difficult to eat enough to cause a serious injury. Oleander, for example tastes so bitter and unpalatable that it is difficult to accidentally eat very many of the leaves. On the other hand there are plants that look appealing but contact can have bad results,” they added.
However, protecting our kids is easier said than done since it can be difficult to recognize a poisonous plant. Often there are no telltale signs or characteristics that distinguish a poisonous plant from one that isn’t. Therefore, we have to educate ourselves to save our children.
“The amount of poison in a plant tends to vary with location, age of plant, season and weather conditions. In some plants, the toxin is confined only to certain parts. Additionally, plants normally considered non-toxic may have been treated with an insecticide, making them toxic,” revealed the experts at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Canada.
What are the symptoms of plant poisoning? Be wary of the following: vomiting, stomach cramps, irregular heartbeat and convulsions.
“The type and severity of symptoms will vary according to the type of plant eaten, the amount swallowed and the size of the child. The most common problems are stinging around the mouth and skin allergies,” said doctors at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Australia.
In case of skin contact, wash the area with clean running water to flush out the poison. Likewise for the eye which should be irrigated for at least 20 minutes. Check the child’s mouth and remove any remaining plants before washing it. Call your local poison control center immediately. (Next: Beware of these poisonous flowers.)
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