1/4. Allergic and irritant contact dermatitis from falcarinol and didehydrofalcarinol in common ivy (hedera helix L.).Experimental and chemical investigations revealed that common ivy (hedera helix susp. helix) contains 3 compounds which are powerful irritants and moderate sensitizers. Only 2 of these constituents, falcarinol and didehydrofalcarinol, are present in the plant during the whole year. Besides panax ginseng and Schefflera arboricola, this is the third species of the araliaceae in which these polyacetylenic sensitizers have been found. Falcarinol and didehydrofalcarinol also occur in hedera helix subsp. canariensis. 4 patients have been patch tested. Even in low concentrations (0.03%), the main allergen falcarinol elicited strong reactions in all of them. One of the authors became sensitized during the investigations.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ivy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Compositae dermatitis in childhood.Compositae dermatitis occurred in a 9-year-old boy with a strong personal and family history of atopy. Positive patch test reactions were 2 for dandelion (taraxacum officinale), false ragweed (ambrosia acanthicarpa), giant ragweed (ambrosia trifida), short ragweed (ambrosia artemisifolia), sagebrush (artemisia tridentata), wild feverfew (Parthenium hysterophorus), yarrow (achillea millifolium), and tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and 1 for dahlia species and English ivy (hedera helix). patch tests were negative for another 30 plants, including cocklebur (xanthium strumarium), dog fennel (anthemis cotula, fleabane (erigeron strigosus), sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), and feverfew (tanacetum parthenium). The eruption resembled atopic dermatitis morphologically but was prominent on the palms and face and dramatically spared the area of the boy's feet covered by his shoes. The condition has always been seasonal, worsening in summer, especially July, and it clears on avoidance of contact. This case is believed to represent a contact dermatitis to oleoresins of Compositae plants; inhalants as a cause of systemic aggravation are not likely to be important in this patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = ivy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Gas plant (dictamnus albus) phytophotodermatitis simulating poison ivy.A 48-year-old man presented with an itchy rash that resembled superficial burns or cane marks on his left forearm; similar lesions had appeared every summer for 5 years. Poison ivy dermatitis had been the initial diagnosis, but the patient knew that this plant was absent from his well tended garden. A visit to the garden revealed the gas plant dictamnus albus, and occlusive patch testing with leaf cuttings produced a reaction after the skin was exposed to sunlight. Gas plant phytophotodermatitis was diagnosed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = ivy (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Black-spot poison ivy dermatitis. An acute irritant contact dermatitis superimposed upon an allergic contact dermatitis.A black spot in the epidermis over a blister of poison ivy dermatitis is an uncommon finding. Four patients with the phenomenon are described. Histologic and histochemical studies were made on biopsy material and the blackish deposit on the skin surface was compared with black deposits in and on leaves of the species of poison ivy. This examination revealed a yellow, amorphous substance on the stratum corneum of the lesions and a similar substance in and on leaves of the poison ivy plant, toxicodendron radicans ssp. negundo. Associated with the pigmentary deposits there were distinct changes of acute irritant contact dermatitis superimposed upon allergic contact dermatitis. Our findings support the view that the black material is the oleoresin of the plant, and that this substance behaves both as an irritant and an allergen.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.4keywords = ivy (Clic here for more details about this article) |