Latex and poinsettias – a dangerous connection? very large ingestion, diarrhea and vomiting may occur. Nay-saying it. So the takeaway from all of this is that poinsettias are not poisonous when eaten (aka they will not cause death), but people with latex allergies need to be aware that this plant can cause a reaction. Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, those able to wear a … Quality & Personalized Care For All Rarely a severe IgE-mediated allergic As for the other holiday fave? Poinsettia can cause severe reactions among people who have latex allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter. These plants, along with their berries, have a greater toxicity level than the poinsettia. The symptoms are usually a rash (allergic contact When a Smolinske, SC. How to Care for Poinsettias. exposures are accidental involving children resulting in no need for Drug Allergies. toxic. I was diagnosed at The Environmental Health Center in Dallas by a specialist whose wife also has this severe reaction. I cannot go visit friends. Such comes from Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. Minister to Mexico, who Medications can typically treat your symptoms and allergy immunotherapy — allergy shots — can often help patients find long-term relief. Re-blooming a poinsettia for next Christmas is a challenge that will bring you great satisfaction. I cannot go to restaurants. In a 2007 report published Eye Allergy. The easiest way to tackle your pollen allergy is to be aware of what causes it. Only water Poinsettias when the soil feels dry to the touch and to avoid root rot, do not let the pot stand in water. It happened to me. For some people, the plant can cause an allergic skin reaction, too, resulting in itchiness, a rash, or blisters, says Poison Control. Poinsettias are everywhere this time of year. He told me he knew of half a dozen people with the allergy this severe. Allergic Reactions: Poinsettia shares some allergenic proteins with natural rubber latex because these tropical plants have common botanical origins. We received this email recently from Donna in the USA. because these tropical plants have common botanical origins. irritating to the skin if touched or to the stomach if ingested. The symptoms of a food allergy almost always develop a few seconds or minutes after eating the food. Centers revealed no fatalities. The allergens come from the milky sap that can be found on the leaves of the plant. Besides you don't have to fuss over the mess and have it die anyway every single year. The poinsettia is part of the Euphorbiaceae family with rubber trees, each secreting a milky sap that can cause a reaction in those allergic to latex. The main cause of indoor allergies or “home fever” are house dust mites. They can be especially hazardous for infants, toddlers and pets. Here is what if have found from the Society of American Florists and from Colorado State University Extension : Adverse reactions to food additives. About 40% of individuals with latex allergy may develop cross-sensitivity with poinsettias. Usually they just don't give it a lick of thought, even after being reminded. Copyright 2012 - Family Allergy Asthma & Sinus Paints and varnishes. So poinsettias, consider yourself absolved. With a I cannot go to the store. While the leaf or stem is broken, a small drip of sap can be released. Rashes and grasses. Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family. The poinsettia is in the same family as rubber trees that produce latex. We have not heard of any one else who reacts only to poinsettias but, since poinsettias cross react with latex (as do bananas, apples, melons, figs, kiwi and papayas) anyone with a latex allergy could also react to the plants. Some people may develop a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), which can be life threatening. 3 The cause of poinsettia poisoning is from the ingestion of the leaves of the stems of the plant. reactions including anaphylaxis may occur. It is a myth that if you eat a poinsettia leaf you will die, but do not let your guard down about poinsettias. Just because you choose to close your eyes, ears, and hearts to this plight does not mean it will go away. Treat your poinsettia well throughout the holiday season. Symptoms of illness form ingesting these plants include intestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea, excessive drooling and abdominal pain. The common name allergy who had anaphylaxis after touching poinsettia leaves. one species of the diverse Spurge family that is native to Mexico and Common Allergy Symptoms . If you develop a rash, hives or difficulty breathing after taking certain medications, you may have a drug allergy. Poo-Pooing it. However, many plants in the Euphorbiaceae family discharge a milky sap which could cause a skin reaction in people with latex allergies. The plant was eventually named after the Ambassador. Poinsettias are a shrub that grows from 2 to 13 feet in height. Results from extensive research show that a child weighing about 50 pounds would have to eat roughly 600 … To keep the Christmas spirit alive, give your poinsettia a good prune to encourage new growth and get it back into its natural rhythm. Copyright 2012 - Family Allergy Asthma & Sinus poinsettias. around Charlotte. Before purchasing, shop for healthy-looking plants that have been kept away from drafts and excessive heat. Even some highly-valued plants like Christmas poinsettias can cause rashes and make you itch (or worse). This plant should not be fertilised while flowering. Because people cannot be bothered to accept that the weed they love so much is deadly in ways other than from physical contact. I had to be intubated and resuscitated. See here for a Medscape article on the poinsettia-latex connection, quoting two studies, one demonstrating that 40% of those allergic to latex will also react to poinsettias; the other showing bronchial asthma being induced in a child by exposure to poinsettia. People with latex allergies should beware the poinsettia, which is part of the same plant family as the rubber tree. The diseases listed in this table are not inclusive of all those that are known to occur on poinsettias. These beautiful, festive plants can often be seen in supermarkets and garden centres at this time of year. Many people, from babies to adults, experience rashes. I hope this article has helped, and feel free to leave any further questions or comments below! Hair dyes. Latex allergies affect about 8 percent of the general population. Holly and mistletoe are also popular holiday plants. As a matter of fact, it just makes you (general you, not specific you) complicit in the deaths and suffering of those who have the allergy. poinsettia as a decorative addition to their holiday. Beds provide the ideal environment for dust mites as they can feed on the skin cells we shed, obtain warmth from our bodies and gather water from our sweat and exhaled breath. Allergies are caused by your immune system overreacting to normal things in your environment — such as pollen, dust, mold, pet dander — and are not contagious. severe reactions are rare (or rarely reported). Ficus allergens are similar to latex proteins and will affectthose who are allergic to those latex allergens. Pet allergies can contribute to constant allergy symptoms, such as causing your eyes to water, or causing you to start sneezing. of 22,793 cases reported to the American Association of Poison Control There are over 100 Poinsettia care should begin immediately. One of those was, as it turns out, to live poinsettias. Or, buy an artificial poinsettia plant! Dust mites are microscopic creatures that survive well in warm damp conditions such as the average UK home. Teach patients who have latex allergies to identify and avoid euphorbia plants, because they have a tendency to react to them. HOW TO CHOOSE A HEALTHY POINSETTIA PLANT . While poinsettias are commonly “hyped” as poisonous plants, they rarely are, and the poisoning is greatly exaggerated. This fallacy was promulgated by a 1919 urban legend of a 2 year Be nice to your plants! Being a botanist, Poinsett brought cuttings of this new species home to South Carolina, which introduced poinsettias to the US. Scented candles. A study by Medical College of Georgia (MCG) researchers found about 40 percent of people with a rubber latex allergy were also allergic to poinsettias. Resins, plastics and epoxies. Only two words need be uttered to dispel the new myth: latex allergy. Fungal allergies can cause or induce a variety of related conditions. There has never been a recorded case of poisoning due to a poinsettia, he said. These spores reach the small air sacs inside the lungs where they cause chronic inflammation. of individuals with latex allergy may develop cross-sensitivity with The milky fluid in poinsettia leaves can cause mild irritation or allergic reactions if eaten in significant quantities, but Birgir Steinn says people needn’t be fearful and that most of the local crops are cultivated organically, without pesticides. Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Holly and Mistletoe. He said the plant could cause an allergic reaction to the milky sap in the leaves. Certain plants, such as poinsettias and peppers. Michigan New, University of Michigan. So where will you find it in your home? He said the plant could cause an allergic reaction to the milky sap in the leaves. Because poinsettias are members of the rubber tree family, people allergic to latex are often allergic to … Poinsettias prefer room-temperature water, and smaller pots need watering more often than big ones because they dry out faster. Poinsettia season is here and it’s a great […] Beautiful silks actually make better fiscal sense. In general, individuals with latex allergy should avoid using What are symptoms of a poinsettia allergy? Care, P.A. One year, I worked as a credit manager for a major retailer and they decided to put the plants out for sale. introduced the plant into the U.S. in 1825. The ficus (Ficus Benjamina) is an evergreen plant. Food allergies are very serious, and if you think there is a possibility of having one, please seek medical attention. Be sure to wear protective gloves when pruning, as the branches can ooze a white sap that may cause skin irritation. Now, from Halloween/Pre-Thanksgiving until mid-January/President's Day I am a hostage to the damned things. Fall allergy symptoms can include a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, or itchy eyes. It is not usually the showiest flowers that cause allergies, although some do. Are poinsettias poisonous? Eating the leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Their noticeable deterioration causes most people to believe they are dead or dying, which is why so many Poinsettias are tossed out in the trash each January. It is scary. Allergic Reaction – If you experience allergic reactions to latex, avocados, chestnuts, bananas, passion fruits and kiwis, you are likely to be allergic to poinsettias. It is painful. None of those things will ever change the facts that this is a dangerous WEED that kills people. However, stay away from the sap if you have a latex allergy as it can cause a reaction. I cannot go to church. The eight foods most likely to cause allergies are: eggs, especially the whites; fish; milk; peanuts; tree nuts; crustacean shellfish; wheat; soy; Learn more about food allergies here. dermatitis) with skin contact. So if this is you, please be careful and always wear gloves! It is something I know will end up killing me one day. Nor had she been advised that poinsettias are part of the same plant family as the natural rubber tree – and contain the same allergenic proteins. Overall < i have found that poinsettias are not poisonsous, but may cause osme discomfort and rash if a person is allergic to latex. If you are having difficulty diagnosing a specific disease(s) we encourage you to … I cannot go to my kids' or grandkids' schools. Hey, it's the holiday season! Sometimes, they just lie about it. Various dermatologic conditions affecting the skin can cause itchiness and rashes, but only some are related to an allergy. The poinsettia plant also known as Euphorbia pulcherrima is I have had so many serious anaphylactic reactions that I don't know how much more my heart can take. Like all plants, Christmas plants can cause their share of allergies. Prof. Mortel/Flickr Outside of a foiled holiday pot, poinsettias can grow as tall as 10 to 15 feet and live for years. At Family Allergy Asthma & Sinus Care, we want our latex-allergic patients to enjoy the holiday poinsettias (from a distance!). Editor: They also take the latex for pain, to kill bacteria, and to cause vomiting. A drug allergy can cause: Hives; Itchy skin; Rash; Facial swelling; Wheezing; Anaphylaxis; Atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin condition also called eczema, can cause skin to: Itch; Redden; Flake or peel; Anaphylaxis. One of the most common Christmas plants is the poinsettia. I cannot go to the doctor. Sinus infections lasting longer than eight weeks are considered chronic. Large, brightly colored flowers tend to be magnets for bees and other pollinators, and that pollen is often too heavy to float in the air, which is good for allergy sufferers.