Azalea toxicity: an overrated problem?
One-hundred-and-fifty-two azalea ingestions reported to two regional poison centers over a three year period are reviewed. Twenty-eight exposures were the result of sucking nectar from the flower; the remainder involved ingestion of leaves or flowers. Nine patients developed symptoms, but these were minor or probably unrelated in eight. A single patient was significantly symptomatic, experiencing repeated vomiting and transient hypertension. Emergency department treatment was rendered in 9.2% of patients, and hospital admission for less than 24 hours was required in only one case. Ingestion of moderate amounts of azalea pose little toxic hazard.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010947:Plants, Toxic / Q000145:classification