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Poison Information Centers Easter and May Day

In springtime we celebrate Easter and decorate our homes with traditional yellow flowers, willow branches in bud, and grow Easter grass. The Poison Information Center receives plenty of calls concerning poisonous plants during Easter. May Day festivities mainly evoke questions about alcohol and balloons.

Narsissi.

Daffodil, tulip and hyacinth

The entire plant, especially the bulb is slightly poisonous and eating it may cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms (such as nausea). Rinsing the mouth is enough if tasted.

Chrysanthemum, Easter cactus and willow branches

The plant is non-toxic. Does not require treatment.

Ryegrass

The most common homegrown Easter grass is usually ryegrass (Lolium). It is slightly poisonous, but it is not known to cause symptoms in humans. Eating small amounts of ryegrass or ryegrass seeds does not require treatment.

Easter egg wrappers (aluminium foil)

A single dose is considered harmless. Does not require treatment.

vappu

Foil-balloons, serpentine, face paints

Balloons, serpentine streamers, and any dye coming off them, as well as face paints, are harmless.

Helium-balloons

Inhaled in small amounts, helium gas is not considered dangerous. In addition to a high-pitched voice, inhaling helium gas may cause symptoms such as headache and dizziness. These are caused by hypoxia resulting from the helium gas displacing oxygen.

Alcoholic beverages

Even a small amount of strong alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning in a small child.

Sima

Sima may contain some ethanol (usually less than 1%). A small amount of sima is not dangerous even to small children.

 

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