The Common Symptoms of Plant Poisoning
There are many ways that a plant can pass on its toxic compounds. Some toxins can be produced and exuded through the plant’s leaves, leaching toxins through touch or even the air, while others need to be ingested. We will explore all of these methods and explain some of the symptoms associated with them.
Poisonous to Touch
Many people in the United States are familiar with the infamous names poison oak and poison ivy. These two species of plants are known for their itch-inducing leaves, and are usually shown to children who are going on camping trips to help them avoid the nasty side effects of touching these plants.
They are perfect examples to show you how these types of poisonous plants work. They produce oils that stick onto their leaves. When someone, unaware of the danger, touches the leaves, the oils stick to the skin and do all of the dirty work. In the case of poison ivy, urushiol oil reacts with your skin, causing an allergic reaction. You will generally experience skin swelling, redness, itchiness, and blisters.
In the case of poison ivy and poison oak, the U.S. government has documented steps on how to treat blisters and swelling caused by these plants, which can be accessed here: Poisonous Plants: Symptoms and First Aid. Of course, if you are ever in doubt, it is always good to call your local center for poison control.
Another reason why it is important to always know what types of plants you encounter and what to do in an emergency: the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). This plant has a sap that, given the right conditions, will give humans severe, third-degree burns. Remember — it is always better to prepare by knowing and avoiding these plants than to deal with the effects of coming in contact with them.
Poison by Ingestion
This is another reason why it is very important to know the types of plants you are working with and whom to contact in an emergency. It is always better to prepare by knowing and avoiding these plants beforehand than to deal with the side effects of touching them.
Another common yet toxic plant is poison hemlock. This plant belongs to the carrot family but doesn’t like to be eaten as much as its orange relative. When ingested, it can cause damage to your kidneys and nervous system in addition to slowing your heart rate.
As you can imagine, these side effects are no joke. It is important to get the proper medical attention immediately if you even suspect that you or someone you know may have consumed these plants or are experiencing these symptoms.
Never be afraid to call poison control if the situation doesn’t merit an ambulance. Poison control can help manage symptoms and identify when medical attention is necessary. A lot of these symptoms seem scary, and they are, which is why it helps to recognize who is most at risk and what plants will endanger them.