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.

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 6

Philodendron (Philodendron callosum) contains calcium oxalate crystals.

Return to Phytodermatitis Index or Dermatitis Educational Material.

Slide 7

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) can cause irritant and allergic dermatitis from the milky sap.

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Slide 8

Irritant chemicals (protoanemonin and anemonin) are present in the sap of the anemone plant (Anemone japonica).

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Slide 9

Clematis (Clematis x Ville de Lyon) plants are in the same family as buttercup and anemone plants.

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Phytophotodermatitis

Skin reactions are caused by furocoumarin chemicals in the plant and exposure to Ultraviolet A sunlight. Blisters form in a few hours after contact with the plant and sunlight. Hyperpigmented skin develops in the affected area after the blisters have healed and may last for months.

Slide 10

Lime oil dermatitis from the oil in the skin of the lime. The lime was rubbed on the skin while sunbathing.

Return to Phytodermatitis Index or Dermatitis Educational Material.