My 6-year-old brother accidentally crushed a dieffenbachia leaf and now he's upset because it's making his hands itchy and irritated. We had no clue that the plant could do this! He was angry about having to clean up and took it out on the plant. I've already told him to wash his hands thoroughly to get rid of any sap, but what else can we do to help him feel better? It's important to note that we've had this plant for a decade without issues, but this is the first time we've encountered something like this. I'm hoping he learns from this experience!
3 Answers
Dieffenbachia contains tiny needle-shaped crystals called raphides, which can irritate skin and tissue. If your brother washed his hands and didn't touch his eyes, he should be okay, though his skin might stay irritated for a while. It sounds like a tough lesson learned, but he’ll likely remember not to mess with plants again!
I remember having a similar experience as a kid. My parents rinsed my hands with vinegar, which helped, but I still felt uncomfortable for hours. The crystals can hurt, but they aren’t dangerous. Just make sure he doesn’t touch his face or eyes, and that he stays calm. He’ll be fine!
It sounds painful! Those calcium oxalate crystals can be pretty irritating. Make sure you run his hands under cold water for at least 15-20 minutes and use a gentle soap like Dawn. Cold water helps keep the pores closed so the irritant doesn’t get in deeper. If he’s still feeling swollen, maybe an allergy pill could help. Just keep an eye out for any blisters, too!
I’d suggest keeping a cold pack on his hands, too. It might not fix everything, but it could help him feel a bit better!
If it's those little needles, maybe you could use some sticky tape to remove them? I’ve seen that suggested for similar situations!