Are poinsettias poisonous to humans?

Poinsettia plants are less toxic than once believed. In most cases, poinsettia exposure causes only discomfort, including: A mild, itchy rash. Skin contact with the sap of a poinsettia plant can cause a rash. If this happens, wash the affected area with soap and water. Apply a cool compress to ease itching. A mild stomachache, vomiting or diarrhea. read more

For our November-December 2011 issue, we asked Michael Wahl, MD, medical director of the Illinois Poison Center, in Chicago, about the relative risks of eating poinsettia. Q: I've always heard that poinsettias are poisonous to kids and pets. read more

While the genus (Euphorbia) to which the poinsettia plant belongs does contain some highly toxic plants, the popular poinsettia itself is not toxic. Some sources attribute the rumor about the dangers of poinsettia leaves to a case of poisoning in 1919 that led to the death of a two year-old child. read more

Poinsettias are not poisonous to humans. In some cases, contact with the plant can cause mild discomfort. Skin contact with the poinsettia sap can cause a rash, and ingestion of the leaves can cause stomach ache, vomiting or diarrhea. read more