Chrysanthemum Dermatitis in a Florist: A Case Report

Abstract

     Florist was exposed to several occupational hazards, such as fungicide, insecticide, herbicide, and flowers especially many flowers that caused allergic contact dermatitis. Previous studies reported high incidence of occupational allergic contact dermatitis among the florist and the common cause was a chrysanthemum. Our study presents the clinical information on a patient diagnosed with occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by chrysanthemum. A 31-year-old Thai male florist came to hospital with a complaint of a rash at dorsum of hands, forearms and neck for 2 months. He had no prior medical condition or skin diseases. The suspected contact allergens were chrysanthemum and gardenia flower because the occupational history revealed that he was usually exposed to them. The occupational physician ordered patch tested with Thin Layer Rapid Use Epicutaneous patch test (T.R.U.E. test), chrysanthemum leaf and gardenia leaf. Patch test revealed positive with parthenolide (sesquiterpene lactone), disperse blue 106 and chrysanthemum leaf. After, the patient avoided to contact chrysanthemum and received a medical treatment, the symptoms were better and he did not recurred. The occupational allergic contact dermatitis of this patient was caused by parthenolide, which found in chrysanthemum and plants of the compositae family (e.g., sunflower, cosmos, marigold and chamomile). Therefore, the patient with allergic contact dermatitis due to chrysanthemum should avoid exposure to the plants in the mentioned family.