Fikus, also known as fig tree, is one of the most popular potted flowers in Poland. At home, it bears fruit very rarely - its car, however, are decorative leaves, the color of which depends on the age of the plant. Although it does not bloom like other indoor plants, it can still be a problem for allergy sufferers, as well as for young parents and cat owners.
Ficus(Ficus L.), or ficus, in its natural habitat - in the tropics of Asia, Africa, Australia and the islands of Oceania - is a fairly large tree: its crown is a broad, thick trunk, often up to 30 meters high.
Ficuses grown in pots usually grow up to several dozen centimeters (only some domestic varieties, e.g. ficus benjamin, can impress with their height, as they usually reach 2-3 meters).
Their leaves are smooth and shiny, in some species of young ficus maroon, in older ones - green. In Poland, the spring ficus from India is most often grown.
Ficus dangerous for allergy sufferers
In the thick, milky juice that oozes from the ficus after breaking a shoot or a leaf, there are allergens with a structure similar to a latex molecule - there are a total of 11 of them, three of which are so-called main allergens, i.e. those that sensitize more than 50 percent. people with inhalation allergies.
It is characteristic that the smaller the ficus species, the stronger the allergens produced by the juice.
Very small particles of this whitish substance get to the surface of the plant, and along with the dust accumulated on the leaves, they travel around the house - researchers exploring the way in which they sensitize ficuses, also discovered them on the floor and indoor furniture, in which these flowers stood.
Therefore, for symptoms of allergy to ficus to appear, you do not need to have direct contact with this plant: just spend a while with it in the same room.
Ficus: allergy symptoms
Signs that we are allergic to ficus are similar to other symptoms of inhalation allergies: it is primarily allergic rhinitis, swelling of the mucosa, and after direct contact with the allergen - e.g. touching the juice that emerged from a broken leaf - also severe irritation and contact urticaria, i.e. itchy and burning blisters.
Ficus juice allergens also aggravate asthma symptoms and may cause facial swelling.
Who he threatensficus?
The highest risk of allergy to ficus is observed in allergy sufferers, especially those allergic to natural latex, in people with atopy, as well as in children who may be genetically at risk of allergic diseases (because one or both parents are allergic).
The only way to avoid annoying symptoms with an already existing allergy is to avoid contact with the ficus, and preferably remove the plant from the house.
However, if there is a suspicion that such an allergy may develop sooner or later - but the symptoms have not yet appeared - it is enough to thoroughly vacuum not only the apartment every day, but also the immediate surroundings of the ficus, including its leaves.
Toxic ficus for cats and children
Ficus lovers are not only adults: their fleshy, handsome leaves attract the attention of toddlers and curious cats.
Therefore, it is worth taking care in advance that these plants are beyond the reach of the smallest household members: bitten leaves can cause severe irritation and inflammation of the skin and eyes, they can also cause:
- shortness of breath
- stomach ache
- drooling
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
If you suspect ficus poisoning - especially if you can see clear evidence around the plant in the form of chewed leaves - rinse the mouth with plenty of water, wash off the juice from the skin, give plenty of fluids and go with the baby (or cat) to doctor.
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