ALLERGIC CONTACT-DERMATITIS TO TOXICODENDRON SUCCEDANEUM (RHUS TREE) - AN AUTUMN EPIDEMIC

Aims. To document all cases of allergic contact dermatitis (phytoderma titis) due to contact with Toxicodendron succedaneum (thus tree) prese nting to a dermatology clinic during 1993. Method. Case-note review of all cases of phytodermatitis attributed to exposure to thus tree seen during 1993 in a dermatology clinic. Results. Twenty cases of phytode rmatitis to T succedaneum were reviewed. Eight patients were females a nd 12 males with a bimodal age distribution (ten children under age of 15 yr, five adults between 35-45 yr of age). Younger patients present ed with facial dermatitis reflecting facial contact whilst playing und er thus trees. Older patients presented largely with a dermatitis affe cting the upper limbs reflecting contact whilst gardening (usually pru ning). Fifteen out of twenty presented during the months of March thro ugh May (ie. autumn), with the remainder presenting in summer (Dec-Feb ). The majority of patients required systemic steroids to settle the i ntense dermatitis. Conclusions. Phytodermatitis to T succedaneum is no t uncommon in New Zealand, particularly during the autumn months, The clinical presentation varies according to the patient's activity.