GARLIC-INDUCED SYSTEMIC CONTACT-DERMATITIS

Contact hypersensitivity to garlic (Allium sativum L.) is well recogni zed. It is reported to be the commonest allergic cause of fingertip de rmatitis in Indian housewives (1) and is an occupational hazard in foo d handlers (2). Dermatitis classically involves the thumb, index and m iddle fingers of the non-dominant hand and the thumb of the dominant h and, reflecting contact with the garlic clove when cut (3). Garlic has been applied as an antiseptic, and extracts ingested as stimulants, d iuretics or spasmolytics (4): it also has reputedly beneficial cardiov ascular effects.