Facial dermatitis, contact urticaria, rhinoconjunctivitis, and asthma induced by potato.

BACKGROUND

Potato contains multiple heat-labile proteins which can induce immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Rhino-conjunctivitis, asthma, contact urticaria and protein contact dermatitis have been described in association with potato exposure.

OBJECTIVE

A patient with possible airborne facial dermatitis to potato is described.

RESULTS

A middle-aged atopic housewife with pre-existent atopic dermatitis suffered from rhino-conjunctivitis, asthma, and contact urticaria when pealing raw potatoes, but her main complaint was intense, treatment-resistant dermatitis of the face. The investigations showed a positive prick test, a positive patch test, and positive specific serum IgE to raw potato. Potato avoidance led not only to the resolution of the immediate symptoms, but also of the facial dermatitis, suggesting she had dermatitis due to this vegetable.

CONCLUSIONS

Potato may induce contact dermatitis with positive immediate and delayed hypersensitivity tests.