Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Plant Toxins
Number of Conditions: 4
Ricin poisoning (castor bean plant)
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Biological and Natural Toxins
Sub-category: Plant Toxins
Symptoms:
nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; severe dehydration; organ failure; difficulty breathing (if inhaled); seizures
Root Cause:
Ricin is a highly toxic protein that inhibits protein synthesis at the cellular level, causing cell death and widespread tissue damage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history of exposure (e.g., ingestion, inhalation, or injection of castor beans); confirmed with laboratory tests for ricin in blood, urine, or environmental samples.
Treatment:
Supportive care (IV fluids, mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress, medications to manage organ failure), decontamination (activated charcoal for ingestion), and symptomatic treatment.
Medications:
No specific antidote exists for ricin. Supportive treatments may include anti-seizure medications (benzodiazepines like lorazepam ), anti-inflammatory drugs, and oxygen therapy.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; typically associated with accidental ingestion or intentional poisoning.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Handling or ingesting castor beans, occupational exposure (e.g., castor oil production).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on dose and route of exposure; severe cases without prompt treatment can be fatal. Survival is possible with early supportive care.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, kidney failure, multi-organ dysfunction, death in severe cases.
Foxglove (digitalis) toxicity
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Biological and Natural Toxins
Sub-category: Plant Toxins
Symptoms:
nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; confusion; visual disturbances (e.g., seeing halos around lights); irregular heart rhythms
Root Cause:
Digitalis compounds interfere with sodium-potassium ATPase in cardiac cells, leading to increased intracellular calcium and altered heart function.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical presentation, history of foxglove exposure or ingestion, and elevated serum digoxin levels.
Treatment:
Activated charcoal (if ingestion is recent), digoxin-specific antibody fragments (Digibind), and management of arrhythmias (e.g., with anti-arrhythmic drugs or temporary pacing).
Medications:
Digibind (digoxin-specific antibody fragments); anti-arrhythmics like lidocaine may be used for ventricular arrhythmias.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in modern contexts; usually due to accidental ingestion or misuse of foxglove extracts.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Accidental ingestion, herbal remedy misuse, or overdose of digoxin-containing medications.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early recognition and treatment; severe cases can be life-threatening.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Life-threatening arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, neurological complications (e.g., seizures).
Deadly nightshade (atropine) poisoning
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Biological and Natural Toxins
Sub-category: Plant Toxins
Symptoms:
dry mouth; blurred vision; difficulty swallowing; rapid heart rate; hallucinations; severe agitation; urinary retention; seizures
Root Cause:
Atropine is an anticholinergic compound that blocks the effects of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, leading to nervous system dysfunction.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history of ingestion, characteristic anticholinergic symptoms, and confirmation through toxicology tests if needed.
Treatment:
Activated charcoal (for recent ingestion), supportive care, and physostigmine (a cholinesterase inhibitor) as an antidote.
Medications:
Physostigmine (cholinesterase inhibitor), benzodiazepines (for seizures or agitation), and IV fluids for hydration.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; typically due to accidental ingestion of berries or leaves or intentional misuse.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Proximity to or handling of deadly nightshade plants; young children or pets at higher risk of accidental ingestion.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early treatment; severe cases can lead to coma or death without intervention.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Coma, respiratory failure, severe dehydration, or cardiac complications (e.g., arrhythmias).
Poison ivy/oak/sumac dermatitis
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Biological and Natural Toxins
Sub-category: Plant Toxins
Symptoms:
itchy rash; redness; swelling; blisters; oozing skin lesions
Root Cause:
Urushiol, an oily compound in these plants, triggers an allergic contact dermatitis reaction mediated by the immune system.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination and history of contact with the plants; characteristic linear or streaked rash patterns.
Treatment:
Wash skin thoroughly to remove urushiol; apply topical corticosteroids, antihistamines for itch relief, and in severe cases, oral corticosteroids.
Medications:
Hydrocortisone cream (topical corticosteroid), prednisone (oral corticosteroid), antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine for itching).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; affects millions in the U.S. annually, especially during outdoor activities.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Outdoor exposure to poison ivy/oak/sumac plants, lack of protective clothing, and unawareness of the plants’ appearance.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; resolves within 1–3 weeks with treatment. Severe reactions may require prolonged therapy.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial infections from scratching, severe allergic reactions, or widespread rash requiring systemic treatment.