AUTHOR AND EDITOR INFORMATION

Section 1 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

INTRODUCTION

Section 2 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Background

Plant exposures are some of the most frequent poisonings reported to poison control centers. Exposures to plants containing oxalate crystals, such as Philodendron and Dieffenbachia, are among the most common toxic plant exposures reported in the US.

For the past 200 years, the irritant properties of the Dieffenbachia plant have had various uses, including punishing slaves and treating gout, impotence, and frigidity. Today, plants containing oxalate are admired for their ornamental beauty and found in public places and homes.

The following plants contain oxalates:

• Anthurium (Anthurium species)
• Arum, Araceae (Arisaema species)
• Caladium (Caladium bicolor)
• Calla lily (Zantedeschia species)
• Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema species)
• Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia species) (see Media file 1)
• Jack-in-the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) (see Media file 2)
• Monstera, Ceriman (Monstera deliciosa)
• Nephthytis (Syngonium podophyllum)
• Philodendron (Philodendron species)
• Pothos or Hunter's robe (Epipremnum aureum)
• Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) (see Media files 3-4)

Pathophysiology

Nonsoluble calcium oxalate crystals are found in plant stems, roots, and leaves. The stalk of the Dieffenbachia plant produces the most severe reactions. These needlelike crystals produce pain and edema when they contact lips, tongue, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, or skin. Edema primarily is due to direct trauma from the needlelike crystals and, to a lesser extent, by other plant toxins (eg, bradykinins, enzymes).

Frequency

United States

Philodendron and Dieffenbachia exposures are among the most common plant exposures reported to poison control centers.

Mortality/Morbidity

In most cases, nonsoluble oxalate plants produce self-limited symptoms and clinical manifestations. Significant morbidity or mortality is extremely rare. One case report of an infant fatality attributed to airway obstruction after exposure to Dieffenbachia exists.

Age

The majority of oxalate plant exposures occur in children younger than 5 years while sampling houseplants in the home.

CLINICAL

Section 3 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

History

Symptoms, if they develop, occur rapidly and may include the following:

• Keratoconjunctivitis and corneal abrasions after contact with plant material
• Edema, erythema, bullae, and inflammation of mouth and oral mucosa after contact; esophagitis
• Slurred or unintelligible speech
• Laryngeal edema (with sufficient contact)
• Superficial necrosis developing days after initial contact
• Local skin erythema and/or edema (typical of a contact dermatitis) due to contact with plant sap or juices

Physical

No physical findings exist in the majority of oxalate exposures.

DIFFERENTIALS

Section 4 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Other Problems to be Considered

Caustic ingestions

TREATMENT

Section 5 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Prehospital Care

• Decontaminate mouth, eye, and skin by physically removing all plant material.
• Treat eye and skin exposure with copious water irrigation.
• Rescuers should protect themselves from contact with plant materials.

Emergency Department Care

Most exposures are self-limited and only require analgesics for patient comfort.

• For oral exposures, physically remove any plant material in the oral cavity.
• • Assess for any airway compromise.
  • Individuals without airway compromise can drink cold liquids and eat crushed ice, ice cream, or frozen ice pops or desserts for relief.
  • Oral swishing with diphenhydramine elixir provides local anesthetic and antihistaminic effects.
  • Individuals with laryngeal edema may be treated with antihistamines and observed and/or admitted until edema improves.
  • No clinical data support use of steroids in laryngeal edema induced by oxalate-containing plants.
• Treat eye exposures with copious water irrigation. Employ slit lamp examination and fluorescein staining to rule out corneal involvement.
• Skin exposures require irrigation with fluid and local wound care. Some individuals may develop a contact dermatitis.

Consultations

Nearly all cases of houseplant exposures involving oxalate-containing plant species are managed at home in consultation with a regional poison control center. Poison control centers may be helpful with plant identification, particularly if a fax copy or digital picture of the plant can be transmitted.

MEDICATION

Section 6 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Analgesics may be required for pain.

Drug Category: Analgesics

Pain control is essential to quality patient care. Analgesics ensure patient comfort, which is beneficial for patients who have sustained trauma or sustained injuries.

Drug Category: Antihistamines

Treatment for significant oral and/or laryngeal edema.

FOLLOW-UP

Section 7 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Further Inpatient Care

• Most oxalate exposures are self-limited and do not require any follow-up.
• Patients with eye involvement should follow up with an ophthalmologist.

Prognosis

• Most patients completely recover.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Medical/Legal Pitfalls

• Confusion between oxalate-containing plants and other plants
• • Symplocarpus foetidus (skunk cabbage) may be easily confused with Veratrum viride (false hellebore), which may cause significant bradycardia and hypotension.
  • Other important plants that may cause significant toxicity include Nerium oleander (oleander), Phytolacca americana (pokeweed), Cicuta maculata (water hemlock), and Datura stramonium (Jimson weed).

MULTIMEDIA

Section 9 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

Media file 1:  Dieffenbachia
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Media type:  Photo

Media file 2:  Jack-in-the-Pulpit
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Media type:  Photo

Media file 3:  Skunk Cabbage
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Media type:  Photo

Media file 4:  Skunk Cabbage
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Media type:  Photo

REFERENCES

Section 10 of 10

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• Multimedia
• References

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• Gardner DG. Injury to the oral mucous membranes caused by the common houseplant, dieffenbachia. A review. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. Nov 1994;78(5):631-3. [Medline].
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• Manríquez O, Varas J, Ríos JC, Concha F, Paris E. Analysis of 156 cases of plant intoxication received in the Toxicologic Information Center at Catholic University of Chile. Vet Hum Toxicol. Feb 2002;44(1):31-2. [Medline].
• McIntire MS, Guest JR, Porterfield JF. Philodendron--an infant death. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1990;28(2):177-83. [Medline].
• Mitchell JC, Rook A. Botanical Dermatology: Plants and Plant Products. 1979:114-5.
• Mrvos R, Dean BS, Krenzelok EP. Philodendron/dieffenbachia ingestions: are they a problem?. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1991;29(4):485-91. [Medline].
• Ogzewalla CD, Bonfiglio JF, Sigell LT. Common plants and their toxicity. Pediatr Clin North Am. Dec 1987;34(6):1557-98. [Medline].
• Pamies RJ, Powell R, Herold AH, Martinez J III. The dieffenbachia plant. Case history. J Fla Med Assoc. Nov 1992;79(11):760-1. [Medline].
• Rauber A. Observations on the idioblasts of Dieffenbachia. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1985;23(2-3):79-90. [Medline].
• Tagwireyi D, Ball DE. The management of Elephant's Ear poisoning. Hum Exp Toxicol. Apr 2001;20(4):189-92. [Medline].
• Watson JT, Jones RC, Siston AM, Diaz PS, Gerber SI, Crowe JB. Outbreak of food-borne illness associated with plant material containing raphides. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2005;43(1):17-21. [Medline].

Article Last Updated: Aug 7, 2007