Lily of the valley is a popular wild plant in our country. It flowers in May and June and bears fruit in August and September, producing very pretty fruit: red berries. The appearance of these berries means that they can be eaten by young children unaware of the danger of poisoning. In fact, all parts of the plant are poisonous - including the flowers and leaves.
Symptoms and course poisoning by red lily berries
The fruit of the lily of the valley (as well as all other parts of the lily of the valley) contain highly potent substances from the glycoside group with cardiovascular effects similar to those of digitalis glycosides. In addition to its cardiovascular effects, it is also an irritant to the gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms are:
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- diarrhoea,
- weakness,
- shortness of breath
- a feeling of a strong heartbeat.
The most dangerous are the cardiac complications. With more severe poisoning, the heart rate slows down with arrhythmia. Subsequently, cardiac disorders can develop into atrioventricular block, ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. Yellow, green or blue vision is also considered typical symptoms, hallucinations and delirium are possible.
When to go to the doctor and treat poisoning by red lily berries
Ingestion of lily of the valley fruit, flowers or leaves by a child is always very dangerous and requires urgent medical attention. A dose that is fatal to a child can be as little as a few berries. There is even a case described in the medical literature of the death of a 5-year-old child who drank water from a vase in which lily of the valley stood.
Treatment poisoning by red lily berries
There is no home treatment. Immediately after a child has ingested lily of the valley fruit, vomiting should be provoked to remove the poison. A doctor should be called as soon as possible.
