| Definition: |
Poisoning caused by consumption of leaf blades of the rhubarb plant.
|
| Alternative Names: |
Rheum officinale
|
| Poisonous Ingredient: |
- soluble oxalate
- unknown additional toxin
|
| Where Found: |
- the leaf blade of the rhubarb plant
The leaf stalk is edible. This plant may have other names.
|
| Symptoms: |
- body as a whole
- weakness
- burning in the mouth
- respiratory
- eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- burning in the throat
- eye pain
- gastrointestinal
- stomach or abdominal pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- nervous system
|
| Home Treatment: |
Call Poison Control.
|
| Before Calling Emergency: |
Determine the following information:- the patient's age, weight, and condition
- the name of the plant and parts eaten
- the amount swallowed
- the time it was swallowed
|
| Poison Control, or a local emergency number: |
They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring plant with you to the emergency room for identification.
|
| What to expect at the emergency room: |
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
- Induce vomiting.
- Use gastric lavage.
- Activated charcoal.
- Treat the symptoms.
|
| Expectations (prognosis): |
Deaths have been reported but are rare.
|
