1. Determine How Much Was Ingested
Every part of the mistletoe plant is poisonous, but particularly the berries and leaves. Find out how much mistletoe was taken and what part of the plant was involved. Then call the doctor or poison control center and report the amount taken. They will give you instructions on how best to proceed. If you go to the emergency room, place the mistletoe in a plastic bag and take it with you. Many holiday decorations replace real mistletoe berries with fake ones for safety reasons, and if you bring the plant along, the doctors can determine how much danger is actually involved.
2. Ask the Doctor About Taking Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a common treatment for a number of different poisons. It's usually mixed into slurry with water and swallowed. Once it's in the digestive tract, it will bond with the existing toxins and prevent the body from absorbing them. It will then pass through the body in your stool without causing further damage. Make sure you speak with the poison control center or a similar medical professional before administering this treatment. Activated charcoal is simple to take and can be administered immediately: in cases of plant poisoning, speed is often of the essence.
3. Take Demulcents or Antacids on Your Doctor's Advice
Treatment for mistletoe poisoning often targets the symptoms of mistletoe, aimed at keeping you as comfortable as possible until the poison has passed through your system. If you require hospital care, they will likely monitor your vital signs and may administer medication to keep your blood pressure even. If hospital care isn't necessary, they may suggest taking medicines to calm an upset stomach. Examples include demulcents, which coat the lining of the gastrointestinal walls, and antacids, which work to neutralize acids in the stomach. Always talk to a doctor before you administer any of these medications to treat mistletoe poisoning.
4. Stay Hydrated
Mistletoe poisoning often involves gastrointestinal problems such as nausea or diarrhea, making dehydration a big concern. Talk to your doctor and ask about taking liquids. You should stay as hydrated as possible if you are vomiting or your stool is loose. Drink water in slow steady sips or suck on ice if you are unable to comfortably swallow.
5. Consider Gastric Lavage
Gastric lavage is a hospital procedure that flushes out poison by running a tube into your stomach and pumping in water or saline solution. Mistletoe poisoning is very uncommon and such a measure may not be necessary. However, this technique has been used to treat pets that have been poisoned by mistletoe, and in extreme circumstances, your doctor may decide to use it.
