MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Blue nightshade poisoning

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Blue nightshade poisoning

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Before Calling Emergency Poison Control What to Expect at the Emergency Room Outlook (Prognosis)

Alternative Names

Atropa belladonna poisoning; Bittersweet nightshade poisoning; Scarlet berry poisoning; Weedy nightshade poisoning

Definition Return to top

This is poisoning caused by eating parts of the blue nightshade plant.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Solanine, which is very poisonous even in small amounts.

Where Found Return to top

The poison is found in the blue nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) plant, especially in the fruit and leaves.

Symptoms Return to top

Whole body

Temperature - lower than norma
Fever
Sweating

Lungs

Breathing - slow

Eyes, ears, nose, and throat

Dilated pupils

Gastrointestinal

Stomach pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Heart and blood

Nervous system

Headache
Delirium
Loss of sensation
Hallucinations
Paralysis

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the plant, if known
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control Return to top

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Bring the plant with you to the emergency room, if possible.

See National Poison Control Center.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room Return to top

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

Medicines to treat symptoms
Medicines to make the person throw up
Activated charcoal
A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

The faster medical treatment is received, the better the chance of recovery. In very rare cases, people have died from blue nightshade poisoning.

Update Date: 3/21/2006

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

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