Abstract
Dermatitis by contact with wild plants, ornamental plants and plant products may occur accidentally, mistakenly, unwisely or by occupation. Today, contact with ornamental plants is the most frequent source of plant dermatitis. The resulting skin reaction may be mechanical injuries, primary irritation or allergic contact dermatitis depending on the kind of plant species. Thirty-three patients with plant contact dermatitis were observed at Medical Institute of Bioregulation Hospital from 1979 to mid 1986. The most common causal plants were Primula obconica, Chrysanthemum, Aloe arborescen Mill, Rhus succedanea and Gingko biloba. In 24-hour closed patch tests using leaves and flowers of Primura obconica, all patients with Primura dermatitis had shown positive reaction. After leaving away Primura obconica, they never suffered from dermatitis. Closed patch tests with aqueous extracts of Chrysanthemum leaves and flowers had shown positive reaction to all patients with Chrysanthemum dermatitis. Patch test reaction with 0.1% and 0.2% helenin was also strongly positive. Four patients with Aloe dermatitis had a primary irritant contact dermatitis, showed negative reaction in closed patch tests. All patients with Rhus succedanea dermatitis gave strongly positive reactions to 0.01% urushiol. Optimal concentration of patch test allergen and diagnostic patch test methodology were discussed.
