title: [Hematogenous contact eczema cause by phytogenic drugs exemplified by kava root extract].
abstract: The increasing promotion of herbal drugs may lead to allergic problems. A case of systemic contact-type dermatitis after oral administration of kava extract illustrates this special problem. The kava plant is a member of the black pepper family; an intoxicant beverage prepared from the roots of this plant is used ceremonially by many traditional societies of the Southern Pacific. The beverage induces relaxation, enhances a sense of sociability and promotes sleep. These effects are utilized in herbal drugs containing kava, which are sold for insomnia, nervousness and depression. The ichthyosiform kava dermopathy is a well-known side effect of excessive use of kava; in this case report we describe an acute allergic side-effect of kava extract.
authors.affiliation: Hautklinik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Süss
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lehmann
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020901:Kava; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
vernacular_title: Hämatogenes Kontaktekzem durch pflanzliche Medikamente am Beispiel des Kavawurzel-extraktes.