Frequency of sensitivity to Parthenium hysterophorus in patients with chronic extensive eczematous eruption

ABSTRACT

Eczema is a pruritic skin disorder of exogenous or endogenous nature. Allergic contact dermatitis is of exogenous nature and can be caused by many allergens including plants. In this quasi-experimental study, 50 patients presenting with extensive eczematous eruption were enrolled. They were patch tested with fresh crushed extract of flowers of Parthenium hysterophorus. Three patch test readings were taken at 48 hours, 72 hours and 120 hours. Patch test readings were read according to ICDRG criteria. Forty four [88%] out of 50 enrolled patients were male while 6 [12%] were female with male to female ratio of 7.31. Average age of the patients was 56.8 years with S.D +/- 12.6 years. Fifty four percent of enrolled patients showed positive patch test reactions to fresh crushed extract of flowers of P. hysterophorus with a male to female ratio of 5.71. P. hysterophorus is a leading cause of extensive eczematous eruption of exogenous type in a specific group of patients