Amarylles (Hippeastrum) impress with their magnificent flowers and accompany us especially at Christmas time. However, be aware that it is very toxic, especially to children and pets. Read here what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.
What happens when you touch an amaryllis?
He althy adults may experience skin irritation or rashes when handling an amaryllis. After contact, hands should be washed thoroughly. Take special care with children or pets as the plant is poisonous.
How poisonous is the amaryllis?
The amaryllis, called knight's star, is very poisonous in all parts (flowers, leaves, stems and especially in the storage tissue of the tubers).
How poisonous the amaryllis is and what symptoms of poisoning can occur depends on the affected person. In he althy adults, external contact usually only causesskin irritationsin the affected areas. Adults prone to allergies should be more careful because you never know how the immune system will react to the poison. For children2 to 3 grams of the plant can befatal.
What if I touched the amaryllis?
If you have touched amaryllis (Hippeastrum) as a he althy adult, you may getskin irritation or rashesYou should wash yourhands thoroughly after any contactIf children or pets have touched the plant externally, you should also wash their hands thoroughly and continue to observe. However, if you have come into contact with the sap of the plant or, in the worst case scenario, plant parts have gotten into your mouth or onto mucous membranes, you should immediately wash the areas carefully and consult a doctor.
What symptoms appear after contact with amaryllis?
The following symptoms can occur after touching the amaryllis externally:
- Skin Irritation
- Rash
- Swelling
- severe itching
The following symptoms of poisoning can occur after oral ingestion of the plant sap or part containing the amaryllis:
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- severe sweats
- Daziness
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Brain function disorders
- complete cerebral paralysis possible
- until death
What do I have to do if the amaryllis was ingested orally?
Amaryllis can be fatal even in very small quantities! If you have oral contact with amaryllis or have severe, life-threatening symptoms, call an emergency doctor immediately!
Emergency number: 112
If you have minor discomfort caused by external contact or are unsure, contact thePoison Emergencyin your region.
How do I prevent poisoning?
To protect yourself and others, you should observe the following measures when handling amaryllis:
- Amaryllis can be fatal even in small quantities. Under no circumstances should plant sap or parts be swallowed.
- Keep an amaryllis out of the reach of children and pets, even if they are just visiting.
- For your own protection, always wear gloves when caring for amaryllis. Clean your knives and pots thoroughly after work.
Tip
The amaryllis is one of the most poisonous houseplants
Houseplants ensure a cozy home, a better indoor climate and beautiful decoration. However, if you have children or pets, you should be aware that some popular species are very poisonous. In addition to amaryllis, one of the most poisonous is the cyclamen, the poinsettia, the rubber tree, the indoor azalea, the coleus, the monstera or the ivy.
