Oxalate Crystals: Risks & Symptoms of Plant Contact

If you have small children or pets, choose plants you place in your home and yard carefully. Some common plants contain oxalate crystals, which can cause pain if a child or animal chews on them.

Oxalate Crystals

• Oxalate crystals occur in nature and are microscopic in size. They are shaped like sharp splinters of glass.

Plants

• Philodendrens, calla lilies and peace lilies all contain oxalate crystals in the juices in their leaves and sap.

Symptoms

• If you chew the leaf of a plant containing oxalate crystals, you will experience burning pain in your lips and mouth. Your lips and tongue could swell up. You might also vomit, states "Molecular, Clinical and Environmental Toxicology: Volume 2: Clinical Toxicology."

Treatment

• Humans rarely ingest enough oxalate crystals to need medical intervention. Rinsing your mouth and anti-inflammatory medications will treat the swelling and pain. An animal will need to visit the veterinarian and could need its stomach pumped.

Considerations

• If you suspect your child or pet has ingested a plant with oxalate crystals, contact the poison control center right away.