Vegetable and fruit contact dermatitis among housewives-study of 25 cases

Almost all women have to handle vegetables and fruits, so vegetable and fruit contact dermatitis in females has surfaced as a dermatological problem. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the contact sensitization pattern of various vegetables and fruits in housewives in north-west Rajasthan. Thirty-eight commonly used vegetables and fruits extracted/crushed allergen's patch tests were applied as such over back of 25 women having eczema of thumhs, index and middle fingers, 1st and 2nd web spaces, palmar and dorsal aspect of hands. Patch tests were read after 48 and 72 hours and graded as ICDRG. Out of them we obtained positive results in 20(80%), with single allergen positivity in 6 (24%) an11 multiple allergen positivity in 14 (56%).