Dieffenbachia poisoning: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Dieffenbachia is a type of house plant with large, colorful leaves. Poisoning can occur if you eat the leaves, stalk, or root of this plant.
P This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

T Poisonous Ingredient
P Poisonous ingredients include:
- Oxalic acid
- Asparagine, a protein found in this plant

T Symptoms
P Symptoms may include:
- Burning in mouth or throat
- Damage to cornea of the eye
- Diarrhea
- Eye pain
- Hoarse voice
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling and blistering in the mouth or tongue
P Blistering and swelling in the mouth may be severe enough to prevent normal speaking and swallowing.

T Home Care
P Wipe out the mouth with a cold, wet cloth. Rinse the person's eyes and skin well if they touched the plant. Give milk to drink. Call poison control for more guidance.

T Before Calling Emergency
P Get the following information:
- Person's age, weight, and condition
- Parts of the plant that were eaten, if known
- Time swallowed
- Amount swallowed

T Poison Control
P Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
P This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does not need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

T What to Expect at the Emergency Room
P Take the plant with you to the hospital, if possible.
P The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive breathing support and fluids through a vein (IV).

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P If contact with the person's mouth is not severe, symptoms usually resolve within a few days. For people who do have severe contact with the plant, a longer recovery time may be necessary.
P DO NOT touch or eat any plant with which you are not familiar. Wash your hands after working in the garden or walking in the woods.

T Alternative Names
P Dumbcane poisoning; Leopard lily poisoning; Tuft root poisoning

T References
P Graeme KA. Toxic plant ingestions. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 65.
P Lim CS, Aks SE. Plants, mushrooms, and herbal medications. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 158.

T Review Date 10/16/2017
P Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Attending Physician at FDR Medical Services / Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Buffalo, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

