Background: Twelve cases of contact dermatitis provoked by Agave americana are described, 10 with systemic signs and symptoms and 8 with abnormal laboratory results. Results: Patient history revealed a background of intentional exposure among soldiers seeking sick leave. Treatment with oral antihistamines and topical saline compresses resulted in subsidence of the systemic symptoms within 24 h of hospitalization and regression of cutaneous manifestations in 7–10 days. Conclusion: The importance that dermatologists be alert to the possibility of self-inflicted contact dermatitis induced by exposure to plants is stressed, especially to A. americana. Systemic signs are not rare accompanying findings with this plant.

Keywords:
Agave americana, Contact dermatitis, Systemic symptoms
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