Systemic Contact Dermatitis from Herbal and Homeopathic Preparations Used for Herpes Virus Treatment.

Abstract:

Systemic contact dermatitis may occur in contact-sensitized individuals when they are exposed to haptens orally, transcutaneously, intravenously or by inhalation. We report the case of a woman developing a diffuse skin eruption after the topical use of Rhus toxicodendron alcoholic extract and the oral introduction of a homeopathic preparation of the same substance for herpes treatment. An open test, performed with the Rhus toxicodendron tincture, showed an erythemato-oedematous response at 48 h and vesicular reaction at 96 h that was still present after 7 days. Patch test with 65% ethyl alcohol gave negative results. The open test performed, as control, in eight healthy informed subjects revealed negative responses to Rhus tincture application. The result is interesting because in Italy, allergic contact dermatitis to Rhus is uncommon and this case increases the understanding of the pathogenetic mechanism leading to systemic contact dermatitis development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Authors:

Cardinali, Carla1
Francalanci, Stefano1,2
Giomi, Barbara1
Caproni, Marzia1
Sertoli, Achille2
Fabbri, Paolo1 Fabbri@unifi.it

Source:

Acta Dermato-Venereologica. May2004, Vol. 84 Issue 3, p223-226. 4p.

Document Type:

Report

Subject Terms:

*SKIN inflammation
*HAPTENS
*ANTIGENS
*HERPESVIRUS diseases
*IMMUNITY
*CARCINOGENESIS

Author-Supplied Keywords:

herpes virus infection
herpes virus infection.
homeopathy
mother tincture
plant extracts
Rhus toxicodendron

NAICS/Industry Codes:

325410 Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
325414 Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing

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Author Affiliations:

1II Dermatological Clinic, Department of Dermatological Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
2U.O. Allergological Unit, Department of Dermatological Sciences, University of Florence, Italy

ISSN:

0001-5555

DOI:

10.1080/00015550410023293

Accession Number:

12946175