Skin lesions due to okra(Hibiscus esculentus L.). A field survey of skin lesions in workers cultivating okra.

Author: Fumi MANDA
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: okra; Hibiscus esculentus L.; occupational dermatitis; patch tests; irritant contact dermatitis; allergic contact dermatitis
From:Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 1991;39(5):1045-1052
CountryJapan
Language:English
Abstract: The outbreak of skin lesions in workers cultivating okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) was studied by a field survey. Questionnaire and physical examinations including patch tests with preparations of okra pods were carried out.
Out of 89 workers, 48 (53.9%) reported to have history of skin lesions. The sites of skin lesions were mainly arms (43.8%), dorsal regions of hands (35.4%), neck (33.3%), fingers and fingertips (each 29.2%). Concerning the symptoms of the skin lesions, itching (85.4%) and flare (45.8%) were dominant on picking work, and vanishing fingerprints and fissures on fingers on packing work. These clinical signs appeared shortly after the workers set to work without protective means.
Positive reactions of the patch tests with preparations of okra pods were found in 11 out of 89 okra workers (12.4%). The positive rate in non-okra workers was 3.4%. The results indicated that skin lesions due to okra were caused by primary irritation and allergic sensitization.