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Garlic-related dermatoses: case report and review of the literature
U Jappe1, B Bonnekoh, B M Hausen
1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Otto-von-Guericke- University of Magdeburg, Germany.
Background:
Garlic is widely appreciated as a spice and as a vegetable as well as an over-the-counter phytotherapeutic. From a dermato-allergological standpoint, several garlic-related adverse reactions have to be distinguished.
Objective:
The corresponding literature is reviewed briefly, with regard to our present observation of a cook, who contracted garlic-induced contact dermatitis being analyzed for its complex pathomechanism.
Methods:
The patient showed a positive type-IV patch test reaction for diallyl disulfide, a low molecular weight garlic ingredient; and strong, non-irritant reactions after 20 min and 24 hrs in the scratch chamber test with fresh total garlic.
Results:
Thus, in this case of an occupational dermatosis, protein contact dermatitis had to be considered, as well as allergic type-IV contact dermatitis as a co-existing pathomechanism.
Conclusions:
The spectrum of garlic-related adverse reactions comprises irritant contact dermatitis, with the rare variant of zosteriform dermatitis; induction of pemphigus, allergic asthma and rhinitis; contact urticaria; protein contact dermatitis; allergic contact dermatitis, including the hematogenic variant; as well as combinations thereof, as evidenced by our present case observation.