title: Parthenium dermatitis: is it a systemic contact dermatitis or an airborne contact dermatitis?
abstract: We describe here a Parthenium hysterophorus patch-test-positive patient with widespread dermatitis of non-airborne contact dermatitis pattern, improving while staying in Shimla (a parthenium-free area) and rapidly worsening while visiting his native place, where there was exuberant parthenium growth. After recovery, inhalation of fresh plant material from a polythene bag resulted in exacerbation of dermatitis and pruritus within 8-10 hr, without any respiratory symptoms. The possible pathomechanism of such a phenomenon is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla 171001, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vikram K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.forename: Nand Lal
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Ramesh Chander
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010328:Patch Tests; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D018366:Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens