title: Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by decorative plants.
abstract: 12 cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by decorative plants were diagnosed in a 14-year period. The patients were middle-aged, and their average exposure time was 13 years. The plant families and plants causing occupational contact dermatitis were Compositae (5 patients; chrysanthemum, elecampane, gerbera, feverfew), Alstroemeriaceae (5 patients, Alstroemeria), Liliaceae (4 patients; tulip, hyacinth), Amaryllidaceae (2 patients; narcissus) and Caryophyllaceae (2 patients; carnation, cauzeflower). The known chemical allergens causing dermatitis were tuliposide-A and sesquiterpene lactones, such as alantolactones and parthenolide, in the Liliaceae and Compositae families. 7 of the 12 patients were able to continue their work; 5 were not because of severe relapses of skin symptoms. The plant allergen and extract series currently available are of great help in the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lamminpää
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Estlander
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jolanki
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kanerva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010944:Plants