“Did You Know These Plants Are Poisonous?”

Poison Ivy: Like its cousin’s poison oak and poison sumac, it has an oily sap in its leaves called urushiol. This causes an allergic reaction that can make your skin red, swollen, and itchy. It grows over most of the U.S. except Alaska and Hawaii. Each stem grows into three “leaflets” that might help you notice it in the woods. In the East, Midwest, and South, it grows as a vine, and in the North and the West as a shrub.

Poison Oak: It looks a lot like poison ivy, but its leaves are more similar to those of an oak tree. The sun-facing side of the leaf has tiny hairs on it and is a darker shade of green than the ground-facing side. Though it grows all over the country, it’s more common in the West. It could be hours or days before your skin reacts to the plant sap (urushiol). And your rash may eventually turn bumpy and form blisters that ooze.

Poison Sumac: This woody shrub grows in wet, swampy areas all over the U.S. Each stem has 7 to 13 leaves and clusters of green berries that droop. Cool showers and calamine lotion might help relieve the itch, but mostly, you wait: A week or two should bring relief. See your doctor if the rash is on your face or private parts, covers more than 25% of your body, you notice pus from the rash, or you breathe in smoke from burning leaves.

Giant Hogweed: It lives in the rich, wet soil near ditches, streams, and farms, especially in the Northeast. It has umbrella-shaped groups of small white flowers, leaves with deep creases, and stems with white hairs and purple splotches. It grows as tall as 15 feet. Its sap can make your skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light, which could blister, burn, or scar it, sometimes permanently. It could even damage your vision.

Stinging Nettle: The little hairs on the stems of these plants can inject your skin with a combination of chemicals. One of these, formic acid, helps put the “sting” in bee stings and fire ant bites. It’s part of what causes the itchy and even painful allergic skin reaction. Stems grow unbranched in patches to about 4 feet tall, but sometimes as high as 6 feet. Look for those stinging hairs on the stem, which are the telltale sign.

Wild Parsnip: Coarse, saw-toothed leaves grow on hairy, grooved stems that are 2 to 5 feet tall. The yellow flowers grow in an umbrella pattern like other plants in the carrot family. When juice from crushed leaves, stalks, or flowers touches your skin, sunlight can cause a skin rash within a day or two. Look for the distinctive yellow flower in fields, roadsides, pastures, and Midwestern prairie.

Poinsettia: This decorative plant is one of many in the “spurge” group that also includes prostrate spurge, spotted spurge, and leafy spurge. It has a milky sap that could irritate your skin. Like wild parsnip and giant hogweed, sunlight triggers the skin rash. If you eat it, as kids sometimes do, it can give you an itchy mouth, diarrhea, and nausea, though it usually isn’t serious.

Poison Hemlock: This plant looks like a wild carrot or an unusually big parsley plant because of the umbrella-like bunches of tiny white flowers and distinctive leaves. But it might be poison hemlock if you see purple blotches on the stem, a ridged fruit, or if it grows especially big (3 to 7 feet tall). It also has separated leaves that look similar to parsley.  It can poison humans and livestock when eaten. You could also get sick if you absorb plant oils through your skin.

Foxglove: People grow it for its looks throughout the United States. It thrives in the wild in some places, too. Its bell-shaped flowers are often bright purple but can be white, yellow, or pink. It blooms in the spring. It also has a fruit with lots of seeds, which kids sometimes eat. All parts of the flower are poisonous and can slow or disrupt your heart.

Bitter Nightshade: This woody perennial has a stem that grows through the year. It can reach up to 6 feet. Purple flowers in groups of three or more bloom around July or August. Kids are sometimes drawn to the roundish, juicy, glossy, red, poisonous berries. The poison (solanine) can give you headache, drowsiness, stomachache, vomiting, trembling, lowered temperature, dilated pupils, and diarrhea. If you think someone’s eaten it, get them to a doctor right away.

Jimsonweed: This strong-smelling nightshade herb has thick stems that grow 4 feet tall, with leaves up to 3 inches long. Nectar from the white, trumpet-shaped flower could make you sick, along with the leaves, and even the seeds, which some people use to get high. It makes you nauseous, thirsty, and feverish, weakens your pulse, and raises your heart rate. You might even forget where you are or see things that aren’t there.

Mistletoe: This plant lives off of other trees and shrubs, which makes it a parasite. Its stems are thick and easy to break, with lots of branches. The leaves are often thick and stay green all year. Its little yellowish flowers don’t have petals. The small, white berries have one seed and contain a sticky, poisonous pulp. Keep this common Christmas holiday tradition away from kids and pets. The berries can give you diarrhea and slow or stop your heart.

Oleander: This tall shrub has long, leathery leaves that grow in groups of three. Bright clusters of flowers bloom at the ends of branches in colors that vary from red and pink to white. All parts of the plant are very poisonous. Just one leaf is enough to kill an adult. You may have serious stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, dilated pupils, dizziness, and breathing problems.

Azalea and Rhododendron: Roman soldiers got sick on “mad honey” made from these flowers in the first century BCE. Historians think their enemies in Turkey gave it to them to weaken them before battle. It worked: The Romans lost. The leaves, nectar, and flowers of these bushes can poison you too, though you’d need to eat a lot. It irritates the mouth and could make you nauseated enough to vomit. Kids may mistake it for honeysuckle and eat the nectar.

If You Suspect Poison: Act fast. Call 911 if someone has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or loses consciousness. If your throat or mouth feels burned or irritated, try to drink a little milk or water. Get away from any suspected toxic fumes and into the fresh air. If the poison got onto your skin, rinse it quickly. If it got into your eyes, rinse them with saline drops if you can. Keep it up for 15 to 20 minutes. Call poison control as soon as possible for instructions about specific poisons.

Reviewed by: Debra Jaliman, MD on September 13, 2018

Sources:

Cleveland Clinic: “Poison Plants: Poison Ivy, Poison Oak & Poison Sumac.”
Mayo Clinic Expert Answers: “Are poinsettia plants poisonous?”
National Capital Poison Center: “If You Suspect A Poisoning...Act Fast!” “Foxglove: Toxic to the Heart,” “Azaleas and Rhododendrons.”
Ohio State University Extension: “Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum).”
United States Department of Agriculture: “Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum).”
University of Illinois Extension: “Plants That Cause Skin Irritation.”
Weed Society of America: “Mistletoe,” “Oleander,” “Jimsonweed, thornapple, datura,” “Bitter nightshade.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“The Worst Things You Can Put on Your Face”

Hydrogen Peroxide: It’s a popular zit fighter because it kills bacteria living on your face. But hydrogen peroxide can damage your own skin cells, including fibroblasts that help make new tissue and heal wounds. Also avoid it for cleaning cuts and scrapes. Use soap and water instead. Hydrogen peroxide might irritate your already fragile skin.

Breast Milk: This liquid gold has long been known for its bevy of health benefits for babies. Now some spas are offering breast milk facials to tamp down pimples and to soothe skin. It won’t hurt you. But you’re better off using a cream or other products that contain lauric acid, the fatty compound found in mother’s milk.

Witch Hazel: This plant is a common natural remedy to treat acne, tighten pores, and fight greasiness. Witch hazel acts as an astringent, a type of chemical that causes your skin tissue to contract. But toners that contain witch hazel can strip all the natural oils from your skin. That might lead to irritation, dryness, and even allergic reactions.

Hydrocortisone Cream: This medication is a balm for red, itchy, swollen skin. So, you might be tempted to smear it on if you have rosacea or similar conditions. But this type of steroid cream thins the skin, so the blood vessels on your face are more likely to burst. It also can force your oil glands to go into overdrive, leading to what’s called “steroid acne.” It’s OK to apply a small amount for bug bites and itchy rashes for a day or two.

Deodorant: If beads of sweat are always rolling down your face, swiping an antiperspirant over your brows, cheeks, and elsewhere may seem like a clever solution. It isn’t. Deodorant sticks and rollers can clog pores and make you break out. The skin on your face is also sensitive, and you might get an allergic reaction. See a dermatologist instead. They may curb your sweaty glands with prescription medications or Botox.

Honey: This sweet stuff has been used to treat wounds since ancient times. Today, some folks dab it on to banish acne. Honey helps to keep germs at bay and lessens inflammation. But it probably doesn’t do much. One study found that honey worked no better than antibacterial soap. If you still want to try it, look for manuka honey that has a minimum rating of 10 UMF to ensure it has enough germ-fighting power.

Hair Dye: If you color your hair, you may want your brows to match. But it’s not a DIY project. Home dyes have too much peroxide to use safely near your brows. You might burn the surrounding skin or even injure your eyes. Instead, look for tinted brow gel at your drugstore. Or coat your brows with a lightweight mascara or eye shadow powder.

Urine: Devotees swear by their pee as the secret to smooth, unclogged skin. Urine is made up of mostly water and a compound called urea. Many creams and potions include a lab-made form of urea because it binds to moisture in the air and draws it to the skin. But your pee probably doesn’t contain enough of it to matter. Plus, it’s just gross.

Hair Spray: It’s a handy and effective fix to stop a run in your stocking or to get rid of static cling. But don’t use hair spray to set your makeup. The same ingredients that make hair stick also can dry out your skin or trigger an allergic reaction. A makeup setting spray is a better choice.

Lemon Juice: It’s loaded with vitamin C, which can brighten skin and smooth fine lines. But lemon juice is acidic and can irritate your face. You also might end up with an ugly rash from phytophotodermatitis, a skin reaction that happens if you expose chemicals in certain plants and fruits to sunlight or other ultraviolet light. The rash goes away on its own, but it can be uncomfortable.

Coconut Oil: If you believe the hype, it’s a magic elixir for beautiful skin. It’s true that coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which has proven zit-fighting powers. But it’s also about 90% saturated fat, which can clog your pores. Use it as much as you want on your body -- in fact, research shows it can help with severe dryness or eczema -- but keep it away from your face.

Very Hot Water: Wash your face following the Goldilocks rule: not too hot, not too cold, but just right. High-temperature water strips your skin of moisture. When that happens, your skin’s oil glands try to replace it by churning out even more oil. The result? Acne breakouts.

Body Lotion: If you run out of your facial moisturizer, you may be tempted to substitute it with your body lotion. Resist. Most lotions for the body are thicker, and thus more likely to clog your pores. They also may have fragrances or other ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction on the thinner, more delicate skin on your face. Want to check if it’s OK to use on your face? The label should say fragrance free and non-comedogenic.

Glue: It’s all the rage on social media: turning school glue into facial masks to root out blackheads. People spread a layer of the white sticky stuff around problem-prone areas, let it dry, and peel it off. Unfortunately, this home hack won’t clean out your pores. It may just leave you with irritated skin or broken blood vessels. Worse yet, you could accidentally strip away the surface layer of your skin.

Nail Polish: Some people might resort to it in a pinch as a substitute for face paint at Halloween or for costume parties. The only place nail polish belongs is on your fingernails. Most contain ingredients like acetate and formaldehyde that can irritate your skin. To clean up, you’ll need nail polish removers, which have even harsher chemicals like acetones that may damage your face.

Reviewed by: Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on June 06, 2019

Sources:

Debra Jaliman, MD, dermatologist, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; author, “Skin Rules.”
Angela Lamb, MD, director, Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice, New York City.
American Academy of Dermatology: “Scars: Overview.”
BMJ Open: “Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of acne.”
International Hyperhidrosis Society: “Sweaty Face and Head.”
Dermatitis: “A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis.“
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health: “Coconut Oil.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.