With the festive season approaching many of us will be decorating our homes with Christmas trees and foliage but did you know that popular Christmas household plants poinsettias are actually causing more harm than good and can cause hair loss. Gökhan Vayni, a Hair Loss and Transplant expert at Vera Clinic has detailed how the plants are dangerous, and five vital ways to stay safe around them.
Gökhan said: "Poinsettias are houseplants that produce colourful leaf bracts in shades of red, pink, burgundy, salmon and cream. The plants, which can grow up to 4m high, are traditionally displayed in homes during the festive period and are an addition to our Christmas decorations. However, they have been known to be linked to hair loss.
"Hair loss can be caused if a person comes into direct contact with the plant's sap. Poinsettias can rapidly weep a toxic, sticky milky sap when cut or damaged, or if a poinsettia leaf is broken off.
"The sap extracted from the plant has a depilatory hair removal effect. If the sap is left on any part of the body with hair including the scalp for a long period of time, it can cause hair loss when wiped away."
Five tips for staying safe around poinsettias:
- Avoid close contact: Although the chances are unlikely, it is very important to be aware that close contact with a poinsettia’s sap could potentially encourage hair removal so try to avoid going too close.
- Handle with extra caution: The plant itself is completely safe to handle however it’s very important to handle the plant with caution to avoid breaking or cutting the plant causing the dangerous sap to weep out.
- Store out of reach from children: As the plants are popular in homes this time of year, keep them out of reach of young children to prevent any breakage to the plants.
- Thoroughly wash your hands after usage: If you do come into close contact or touch the plant's sap, always thoroughly wash your hands to remove any residue as quickly as possible. The longer the sap is on the skin, the higher risk of hair loss.
- Contact your GP: If irritation occurs contact an emergency number or your GP for further support and advice.
