Acacia seyal and Terminalia brownii associated airborne contact dermatitis (Dukhan dermatitis)

Taking scented smoke baths (Dukhan) is a universal custom among African women who indulge in it for pleasure, cleanliness, health, and for restoration after childbirth. The woods used in this procedure are usually Acacia seyal and Terminalia brownii. This report is a case series of 11 women with brown-erythematous excoriated papules, plaques, and lichenification confined to the sites of scented smoke baths. They were diagnosed with airborne contact dermatitis on the basis of patient history, existence of dust agents, the morphology and distribution of the lesions, the results of epicutaneous tests (repeated open application test), and avoidance of further exposure leading to recovery from dermatitis.