Phytodermatitis due to rare plants: 10 years of experience

We rarely observe instances of phytodermatitis and chemical burns caused by plants. The objective of this study was to assess cases of phytodermatitis in relation to the literature, as early detection is crucial for preventing secondary bacterial infection and hyperpigmentation. This study included 26 patients over the age of 18 who presented to the emergency department with plant-related chemical burns between January 2010 and 31 December 2020. We assessed the demographic and clinical attributes of the patients, as well as the afflicted plant species, wound swab findings, and therapeutic interventions. The study included 26 patients and, mean age was 64.04 ± 6.46 years, ranging from 52 to 76 years. The average time from plant exposure to hospital admission was 8.85 ± 4.26 hours. The average hospital stay recovery time for patients was 9.65± 6.67 days. Out of the total cases examined, five (19.2%) were transferred to the burn unit for follow-up, seven (26.9%) to the observation unit of the emergency department, and fourteen (53.8%) to the inpatient services. The patients comprised 9 (34.5%) first-degree cases and 17 (65.5%) second-degree cases. In contrast, 9 patients (34.5 percent) exhibited wound culture findings of development, whereas 17 patients (65.5% of the total) displayed no signs of development. We closely monitored the patients for any detrimental effects throughout the post-discharge three-month period. Out of the total cases, 12 (41.2%) did not experience any challenges, 9 (34.6%) had pigmentation, two had scarring and three required graft application performed by plastic surgeons. While several plant species have beneficial effects on various dermatological and rheumatic conditions, they can also lead to significant adverse reactions. We believe that utilizing contemporary medical practices is the appropriate course of action, as opposed to relying on alternative treatment modalities.

Emergency department; Phytodermatitis; Chemical burn; Ranunculaceae; Mandragora

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