title: Severe phototoxic burn following celery ingestion.
abstract: A 65-year-old woman developed a severe, generalized phototoxic reaction following a visit to a suntan parlor. History taking revealed that she had consumed a large quantity of celery root (Apium graveolens) 1 hour earlier. With the use of thin-layer chromatography, methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen) and 5-methoxypsoralen were identified in the extract from a similar celery root. The biologic activity of this extract, as evaluated with the semiquantitative Candida albicans inhibition technique, indicated a total psoralen dose of approximately 45 mg. Substantial amounts of psoralen may be absorbed from vegetables, such as celery, and under unusual circumstances, this may constitute a health hazard.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Lund University, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ljunggren
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D011564:Furocoumarins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014675:Vegetables / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D011564:Furocoumarins