Disclaimer: This article is only meant to dispense medical knowledge about hemlock and its adverse events, as well as its management. It is strongly recommended not to touch or be in contact with hemlock, and inform the concerned authorities if hemlock grows in your vicinity.
The hemlock plant, known as poison hemlock, is poisonous. Its seeds, flowers, leaves, or fruits contain poisonous alkaloid chemicals. Any part can kill you even after ingesting small amounts. Death occurs due to respiratory failure. The alkaloids slowly poison the nerve-muscle junctions and cause the failure of the breathing muscles. Even touching this plant may cause a skin reaction known as dermatitis (itchy skin rash) in sensitive people. Lack of antidote makes hemlock poisoning more difficult to treat.
The poison hemlock (Conium maculatum L) grows throughout the United States, typically during the spring. It is commonly found at lower elevation areas, such as roadsides, ditches and stream banks, fence lines, and creek beds, as well as on the edges of cultivated fields. It can also invade grazing areas, particularly pastures and meadows. It tends to flourish in areas where moisture is abundant. However, it can also survive in dry sites.
Accidental ingestion and resultant poisoning most often result from mistaking its roots of poison for wild parsnips and leaves for parsley.
Poison hemlock is also known as:
- Poison parsley
- Deadly hemlock
- Spotted hemlock
- European hemlock
- California fern
- Nebraska fern
What are the symptoms of hemlock poisoning?
Ingestion of the hemlock plant can take 30 minutes to a few hours to give rise to the poisoning symptoms. The severity of the symptoms depends on how long the plant is there in your system. The common signs and symptoms include:
- Shivering (tremors)
- Burning sensation in the abdomen
- Increased salivation
- Dilated pupils
- Muscle pain
- Paralysis of muscles
- Lack of coordination in movements
- Rapid, weak pulse
- Inability to speak
- Convulsions
- Unconsciousness
- Coma
- Respiratory failure
- Kidney failure
What is the treatment of hemlock poisoning?
Hemlock poisoning can lead to serious complications. Seek medical help right away if you have touched or eaten any of the parts of the poisonous plant.
Currently, there is no antidote for hemlock poisoning. Doctors treat the condition depending on the severity of symptoms. Treatment usually includes:
- Flushing out the poison completely out of the digestive system
- Administration of intravenous (IV) fluids to treat dehydration and provide nutrition
- Medications to control seizures
- Artificial breathing through ventilation
QUESTION
What are bed bugs? See AnswerHow can you prevent hemlock poisoning?
Elimination of hemlock plants is a sure way to prevent hemlock poisoning. The following are precautions that you should take:
- Remove the hemlock plants entirely along with their roots. You can remove it manually or use mowers. Place the removed plants in plastic bags and throw them in the dustbin.
- Wear long sleeves, gloves, and face masks while handling the plant.
- Do not cut the hemlock plants; they can resprout or emit fumes.
- Do not burn the hemlock plants. Inhalation of fumes or their contact with skin can result in poisoning.
- Spray herbicides on the hemlock plants just after the fall or in the early spring. Repeated applications for a couple of years are more effective. Continue the application until the seed bank has been significantly depleted.
Keep inspecting the area of hemlock plants after you have eliminated them by any of the methods.
Make sure to identify the hemlock plant from other edible plants so that you do not ingest it accidentally and fall prey to its poisoning.
Health News
- 5,000+ Measles Cases Threaten Canada’s Elimination Status
- Home Exercises Ease Knee Arthritis Pain
- Puberty: The Signs, Stages & When to See a Doctor
- Medical Debt May Soon Return to Credit Reports
- Sitting For Long Periods? Sip Cocoa Or Munch Berries To Protect Heart Health, Experts Say
More Health News »
Agricultural Research Service. Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum). U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/logan-ut/poisonous-plant-research/docs/poison-hemlock-conium-maculatum/
Top How Does Hemlock Kill You? Related Articles
Common Medical Abbreviations & TermsDoctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition,...
Food PoisoningFood poisoning is common but can also be life-threatening. Food poisoning symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Read about different types of food poisoning, treatment, and tips...
Food Poisoning QuizWhat causes food poisoning? Can it be prevented? Take this quiz to learn about food safety and how to guard yourself against food poisoning.
Plants and RashesYou may know to look for poison ivy's three-leaf stem, but what else do you know about rash-causing plants? WebMD explores myths and facts of poison plants.
Poison Control CentersThe United States National Poison Hotline is 1-800-222-1222. When you call this number you will be automatically linked to the nearest poison center in the United States. Call this number 24 hours a...
Poison Ivy PictureSkin inflammation that results from contact with the poison ivy vine. Chemicals produced by this vine cause an immune reaction, producing redness, itching, and blistering of the skin. Treatment...
Poison Ivy, Oak, and SumacPoison ivy, oak, and sumac contain a substance called urushiol, which causes a rash on people who come in contact with them. Symptoms and signs include a red, swollen, itchy, blistering, bumpy rash....
Salmonella Food PoisoningSalmonella infection (salmonellosis) is typically caused by the consumption of contaminated foods. Symptoms of salmonellosis include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain....
Summer Skin QuizWhen it comes to summer, there plenty of hazards under the sun! Take the Summer Skin Hazards Quiz and clue in on the dangers to your summer skin!