Contact dermatitis with systemic symptoms from Agave americana.
BACKGROUND
Twelve cases of contact dermatitis provoked by Agave americana are described, 10 with systemic signs and symptoms and 8 with abnormal laboratory results.


RESULTS
Patient history revealed a background of intentional exposure among soldiers seeking sick leave. Treatment with oral antihistamines and topical saline compresses resulted in subsidence of the systemic symptoms within 24 h of hospitalization and regression of cutaneous manifestations in 7-10 days.


CONCLUSIONS
The importance that dermatologists be alert to the possibility of self-inflicted contact dermatitis induced by exposure to plants is stressed, especially to A. americana. Systemic signs are not rare accompanying findings with this plant.
Brenner
S
S
Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
Landau
M
M
Goldberg
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology; D010944:Plants / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000485:Allergens; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists