Phytodermatitis in East and southeast of Turkey: A prospective study

Some plants may cause cutaneous side effects called phytodermatitis due to skin contact. Plants that cause phytodermatitis vary according to countries and regions. The aim of this study was to examine the phytodermatitis cases seen in Turkey's east and southeast and compare them with phytodermatitis cases seen previously in the literature in these provinces and to revise the literature.

In this study, 34 patients with phytodermatitis were prospectively evaluated. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients such as age, sex, affected areas, dermatitis type, and plant name were recorded.

Phytophotodermatitis (PPD) developed in 7 (20,5%) of 34 patients. PPDs occured after contact of Heracleum persicum, Ferula orientalis and Chaerophyllum macropodum Boiss. Two (5.8%) patients developed allergic contact dermatitis due to Xanthium strumarium. Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) developed in 25 patients (73.5%). ICD was most frequently associated with Tragopogon porrifolius (8 patients). In other patients, ICD was developed due to Ranunculus arvensis, Mentha pulegium, Euphorbia helioscopia, Heracleum persicum, Malva sylvestris, Mandragora autumnalis, Plantago major, and Rheum ribes.

In our study, we determined the cases of PPD caused by F. orientalis and Chaerophyllum macropodum Boiss, which were not previously described in the literature, and ICD which was caused by R. ribes. Clinicians should be aware that cutaneous reactions due to these plants may develop. Our study is the first comprehensive and prospective study on phytodermatitis in Turkey. More studies are needed to determine causes and prevalance of phytodermatitis in Turkey.