Safety & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention (SHARP) — Research for Safe Work

Reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Dermatology. All rights reserved. Please note that the slides are very large JPEG files that will take up to 6.5 minutes to view or download using a 28.8 kbps modem.

Mechanical Dermatitis

Cuts, abrasions and punctures in the skin caused by thorns, spines and hairy appendages in the plants. These injuries can become secondarily infected with bacteria, mycobacteria or fungi.

Slide 1

Cactus thorns

Return to Phytodermatitis Index or Dermatitis Educational Material.

Slide 2

Sporotrichosis infection on arm resulting from puncture with rose thorn (NIOSH collection).

Return to Phytodermatitis Index or Dermatitis Educational Material.

Irritant Dermatitis

Reaction in the skin caused by irritating chemicals in the plant. These chemicals include acids, proteolytic enzymes and calcium oxide crystals. This is not an allergic reaction.

Slide 3

Irritant dermatitis from sap of spurge plant.

Return to Phytodermatitis Index or Dermatitis Educational Material.

Slide 4

The sap of spurge (Euphorbia franckiana) contains phorbol esters.

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Slide 5

Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia marginata) contains calcium oxalate crystals.

Return to Phytodermatitis Index or Dermatitis Educational Material.