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.
Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
S
S
Brenner
M
M
Landau
I
I
Goldberg
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