Spathiphyllum: poisonous or not, what is known about the benefits and dangers of the flower "Female happiness" for the home, is an allergy possible in a child and an adult to this plant?

Spathiphyllum (“Feminine Happiness”) is an unpretentious plant that is grown not only to decorate the house, but also to clean the air in the room. Its leaves absorb harmful particles through the production of biological substances.

But you need to be careful with spathiphyllum, as if mistreated, it can cause allergies and poisoning. Today you will learn how this flower is useful and harmful. We also recommend watching a useful video on this topic.

Poisonous plant or not?

It is believed that spathiphyllum is able to capture harmful components in the air and neutralize them. The leaves absorb them and pass them through the whole body to the roots. And all the microbes that live in the soil break down the pathogens located in the root system.

Science also confirms this claim, but in practice sometimes other results are achieved. The plant is poisonous, so when growing it you need to keep small children and animals away. Otherwise, with proper care, the spathiphyllum "will behave normally" and will not harm either the house or its inhabitants.

You can find out if spathiphyllum is poisonous for a cat here.

Useful properties for home

Indoor flower, like other domestic plants, recognized gives joy to everyone around. In addition, the greens present in the house contribute to the production of oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide. Thus, the house will always have clean and fresh air, and in addition to this, residents will be able to enjoy the beauty and decorative appearance of the culture.

Is he harmful?

A flower is undeniably harmful to human health. Spathiphyllum is especially dangerous for children and people with reduced immunity.. If parts of the indoor flower were accidentally eaten, then this is fraught with the following consequences:

inflammation of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and esophagus;
digestive upset;
severe pain in the stomach.

In addition, the upper respiratory tract becomes inflamed, and this leads to difficulty breathing. People who are prone to allergies may develop skin rashes and other allergic disorders.

ATTENTION: If spathiphyllum was accidentally consumed by a child inside, then immediately show it to a doctor, as the consequences can be the most unpredictable.

For the house, this indoor flower does not carry any danger, and even, on the contrary, is useful for air purification. The main thing is to choose varieties that do not emit harmful substances, while being able to absorb them from the surrounding air and neutralize.

The composition of spathiphyllum contains poisonous juice. It can cause laryngeal edema in pets, and if it gets into the eyes, irreversible changes in the corneal tissue will begin to develop. If the cat or dog eats part of the leaf, then burning of the tongue, mouth and throat will begin. Then blisters form. The animal must be immediately shown to the veterinarian, since you can lose your pet.

Allergy to a flower "Women's happiness"

What exactly causes it?

Allergy in a child and an adult causes spathiphyllum during flowering. Moreover, at a time when it is absent, adults and children do not feel any discomfort and allergy symptoms.

Symptoms in children and adults

If there is an allergy to spathiphyllum, then it can be recognized in children and adults by the following signs:

fear of light;
shortness of breath, unproductive cough;
skin rash;
migraine;
headache;
general weakness;
convulsive seizures;
sweating.

Symptoms of bronchial asthma may occur during allergies to flowering spathiphyllum. - attacks of suffocation, dry cough and wheezing. Pollen dermatitis and urticaria rarely occur. In this case, the temperature indices of the body remain normal.

The duration of a seasonal allergy to a flower does not exceed 2 months, but when the person’s contact with the allergen is reduced and using preventive measures, all symptoms will pass faster and less pronounced.

Treatment

The doctor will be able to draw up a treatment regimen only after passing all the tests. Drug therapy includes the following drugs:

Anti-inflammatory drugs: Lomuzole, Cromoglin, Lecrolin, Kromosol, Allergocrom. It is advisable to use them a month before flowering and take them before the end of this period.
Topical Steroids. These drugs are prescribed only if there is no effect from the use of previous drugs. For children, the dosage will be ½ of adults.
H1-histamine receptor antagonists. They are prescribed for allergic rhinitis. For the treatment of the child, antihistamines of the 2nd and 3rd generation are used, since they do not have side symptoms. Such drugs are effective: Loratadin (Claritin), Ebastin (Kestin), Desloratadine (Erius) Cetirizine (Zirtec), or Fexofenadine (Telfast). They are taken orally once a day.

Prevention

Severe complications during the flowering period of a home plant can be avoided if extreme care is taken when caring for it. The essence of prevention is as follows:

When trimming the plant in your hands, be sure to wear gloves. The fact is that during this procedure, the flower secrete juice, which is toxic to humans. If it gets on the skin, it turns red, there will be severe itching and a small rash.
After contact with leaves, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
In case of redness and discharge of the skin, rinse it with a strong stream of water and remove the remnants of caustic juice.
If juice enters the eyes, rinse thoroughly with water. When the inflammation is significant, consult a doctor immediately.
If part of the plant gets into the mouth, then rinse with milk or water. And do not swallow the liquid.
During flowering, plants should be taken out to another room, and all care should be taken when caring for it.

IMPORTANT: If even preventive measures do not give the desired result and the allergy is too difficult, then you will have to get rid of spathiphyllum or give it to neighbors.

Conclusion

Spathiphyllum is a specific plant that carries both benefit and harm at the same time. If none of the households have allergies, then you can safely grow this decorative culture.

Only in this case, take care of her carefully, being careful, and at the slightest sign of an allergy, immediately seek medical help.