Dermatológia pre prax 2/2014

Phytodermatitis

Contact dermatitis from plants or plant products is frequently observed in clinical practice. It is likely that the most frequent reactions of this type are not seen by dermatologists. Practitioners usually see more severe phytodermatitis. Exposure to plants can cause a number of diseases. Irritant contact dermatitis can arise from skin trauma, such as from handling barbed stemmed plants together with and chemical irritation. Allergic contact dermatitis can cause an immediate (type I) urticarial rash, or delayed contact dermatitis (type IV). A more unusual manifestation of skin disease is phytophotodermatitis, a photosensitive dermal reaction that requires simultaneous exposure to specific chemical agents (furocoumarins) and sunlight, leading to erythema and vesiculation.

Keywords: phytodermatitis, phytophotodermatititis, furocoumarins, clinical manifestations, prophylaxis.