Garlic allergy

A garlic bulb next to a clove crushed in a garlic press

Garlic allergy or allergic contact dermatitis to garlic is a common inflammatory skin condition caused by contact with garlic oil or dust.

Garlic dermatitis is similar to the tulip dermatitis and is induced by a combined mechanical and chemical action. Whereas the former mechanism acts via skin rubbing which progresses into damage, the major cause of the latter is the chemical diallyl disulfide (DADS),[1] together with related compounds allyl propyl disulfide and allicin. These chemicals occur in oils of plants of the genus Allium, including garlic, onion and leek.[2]

Garlic allergy has been known since at least 1950. It is not limited to hand contact, but can also be induced, with different symptoms, by inhaling garlic dust or ingesting raw garlic, though the latter cases are relatively rare.[2] DADS penetrates through most types of commercial gloves, and thus wearing gloves while handling garlic has proven inefficient against the allergy.[3] Treatment includes avoiding any contact with garlic oil or vapors, as well as medication, such as administering acitretin (25 mg/day, orally) or applying psoralen and ultraviolet light to the affected skin area over a period of 12 weeks (the so-called PUVA therapy).[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Thomas D. Horn (2003). Dermatology, Volume 2. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 305. ISBN 0-323-02578-1.
  2. 1 2 Eric Block (2009). Garlic and other alliums: the lore and the science. Royal Society of Chemistry. p. 228. ISBN 0-85404-190-7.
  3. ↑ Moyle, M; Frowen, K; Nixon, R (2004). "Use of gloves in protection from diallyl disulphide allergy.". The Australasian journal of dermatology 45 (4): 223–5. doi:10.1111/j.1440-0960.2004.00102.x. PMID 15527433.
  4. ↑ Robert L. Rietschel, Joseph F. Fowler, Alexander A. Fisher (2008). Fisher's contact dermatitis. PMPH-USA. p. 723. ISBN 1-55009-378-9.
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