Five Cases of Phytophotodermatitis Caused by Fig Leaves and Relevant Literature Review.
- Author:
Jin Hwa SON
1
;
Hyunju JIN
;
Hyang Suk YOU
;
Woo Haing SHIM
;
Jeong Min KIM
;
Gun Wook KIM
;
Hoon Soo KIM
;
Hyun Chang KO
;
Moon Bum KIM
;
Byung Soo KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Ficus; Photodermatitis; Remedy
- MeSH: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Apium graveolens; Blister; Burns; Cellulitis; Citrus aurantiifolia; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Edema; Erythema; Ficus; Foot; Humans; Necrosis; Photosensitivity Disorders; Sensation; Skin; Tinea; Ultraviolet Rays
- From:Annals of Dermatology 2017;29(1):86-90
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Phytophotodermatitis is a condition caused by sequential exposure to photosensitizing substances present in plants followed by ultraviolet light. Several plants (e.g., limes, celery, fig, and wild parsnip) contain furocoumarin compounds (psoralens). It is important for dermatologists to be aware of phytophotodermatitis because it may be misdiagnosed as cellulitis, tinea, or allergic contact dermatitis. We present five patients with a sharply defined erythematous swollen patch with bullae on both feet. They described soaking their feet in a fig leaves decoction to treat their underlying dermatologic diseases. Within 24 hours, all patients had a burning sensation in their feet, and erythema and edema had developed on the feet dorsa with exception of the portion of the skin covered by the sandals. Histopathologic examinations revealed sub-epithelial blisters with intensive epidermal necrosis. Phytophotodermatitis was ultimately diagnosed and, after several days, the patients' skin lesions began to recover upon treatment with systemic and topical corticosteroids. Unfortunately, since there are no studies providing sufficient evidence on the benefits of fig leaves, they should be used with caution.
