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Warning-sign checks

Dieffenbachia poisoning: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services now if there is:

    • Trouble breathing or noisy, high-pitched breathing
    • Rapidly worsening swelling of the tongue, mouth, or throat
    • Inability to swallow saliva or severe choking
    • Blue, grey, or unusually pale lips or skin
    • Collapse, severe weakness, or reduced responsiveness

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, or inability to open the eye needs urgent assessment.

    Contact a poison centre or seek prompt medical advice if a child has chewed the plant, the plant cannot be identified, or symptoms are more than mild.

    Medical assessment is also appropriate for repeated vomiting, worsening pain, persistent voice changes, or difficulty drinking enough fluid.

The article also says

Continue rinsing an exposed eye while arranging help.

After eye exposure, seek advice if pain, redness, tearing, light sensitivity, or blurred vision continues after thorough rinsing.

A small exposure with mild symptoms that are clearly improving may be managed at home after poison-centre advice.

Monitor for increasing swelling or swallowing problems rather than relying only on the amount of plant material involved.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Dieffenbachia poisoning. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.