Dear Doctor Column, December 9, 2002

Question:
Are poinsettias poisonous to my children and pets? What about other holiday plants, such as mistletoe and holly berries?

Answer:

The belief that poinsettias are poisonous extends back to 1919 when a 2-year-old child of a U.S. Army officer died from supposedly ingesting poinsettia leaves. Today, however, scientists have proven that the poinsettia plant is not poisonous. The consensus among government agencies, health centers, veterinary groups, and plant and flower organizations, is the same — poinsettias are not toxic and do not pose a health threat to children or pets. In fact, studies found that a 25-pound, 2-year-old child would have to eat about 250 poinsettia leaves in a day to be in any danger of poisoning. But like many houseplants, poinsettia leaves and stems can cause an upset stomach (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) if swallowed by young children or pets. Consequently, if you use poinsettias in your holiday decorating, it's best to keep them out of children's reach, as well as away from Kitty and Fido.

Mistletoe and holly berries, however, are another story. They can be extremely toxic to children and to pets. Mistletoe berries, and to a lesser extent the leaves and stems, contain digitalis-like compounds that slow the heart. Other toxins in mistletoe induce nausea and vomiting. In fact, swallowing just a few mistletoe berries can cause serious problems for a toddler.

Holly berries contain ilex acid, which irritates the stomach and causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A child usually must swallow 20 or more holly berries before serious problems develop.

One of the more toxic plants sometimes displayed at Christmas is the Jerusalem cherry plant. Its bright yellow to red berries contain solanine. When ingested, solanine causes vomiting and diarrhea, slows the heart, lowers blood pressure, depresses breathing, and induces coma.

While colorful holiday plants pose some risk to curious young children, alcoholic beverages left about during and after holiday parties are an often overlooked problem. Yet, only 2 ounces of 86-proof liquor can lower a child's blood pressure, blood sugar, and body temperature, as well as depress respiration (breathing).

If a child consumes mistletoe, holly, or any possibly toxic substance, contact your poison control center. Keep this number with your emergency phone numbers. Keep a 1-ounce bottle of syrup of ipecac in your medicine cabinet in case your physician or poison control center recommends you give it to your child to induce vomiting to get rid of any undigested poison.

In Birmingham, the Regional Poison Control Center is located at Children's Hospital. The emergency phone number is (800) 222-1222. For nonemergency calls, dial 205-939-9720, or visit www.chsys.org