One of the most common questions about poinsettia plants regards whether or not they are toxic (see yesterday's blog post). But after viewing my article on poinsettia plants, reader, Rebecca sent me the following email, in which she addresses a different concern regarding poinsettia plants:

"Did you know that poinsettia plants contain a latex protein? People who have a latex allergy can get very sick even being in the room with them. I have a latex allergy and found this out the hard way. A member of the family brought a poinsettia plant into the house. I noticed that my throat started to itch and then, by the next day, I was really having trouble breathing. It just so happened that, that night, on our local news they were warning about it. We took the poinsettia plant outside and I started to get better. If you notice, well, around my hometown anyway, public places no longer put them on display. It's really too bad because they are really beautiful and so much a part of our holidays."