Agave americana is a low growing, thick, long-leaved, subtropical plant use
d for medicinal, commercial, and ornamental purposes. The plant's sap conta
ins calcium oxalate crystals, acrid oils, saponins, and other compounds. De
spite these known irritants, Agave-induced irritant dermatitis has rarely b
een reported. Previous case reports have noted a papulovesicular eruption c
onsistent with an irritant contact dermatitis. We report a case of Agave-in
duced purpura in an otherwise healthy patient. Histopathology was consisten
t with an evolving leukocytoclastic vasculitis.