FDA Poisonous Plant Database

AUTHOR(S): Dempster, J. G. TITLE: Contact dermatitis from bran and oats. YEAR: 1981 CITATION: Contact Dermatitis, 7(2), 122 [English] FDA #: F08041 ABSTRACT: Complete article: A 33-year-old female developed an itching eruption 3 weeks after starting work in a garden centre and pet shop. The rash persisted, although always improving during week-ends and holidays, until she presented for investigation 5 months later. On examination she had linear streaks of eczema, most marked on the flexor aspect of both forearms, the sides of her face and neck, and also present to a lesser extend on her ankles, around her waist and on the dorsal aspect of both hands. The patient's job in the shop was to weigh out amounts of bran, oats, bird seed, grass seed and to serve behind the counter. She also handled plants, but was rarely obliged to do so during the winter months when the rash first appeared. The following serics of patch tests was performed: Standard Series: Potassium dichromate - 1+ positive at 48 h & 96 hr. (unexplained) Pet foods - negative Mixed seeds - negative Crushed oats - 2+ positive at 48 hr & 1+ positive at 96 hr Bran - negative at 48 hr & 2+ positive at 96 hr Various plant stems and leaves - negative Twenty control patients who were tested to bran and oats all had negative reactions. Samples of the bran and oats used in patch testing were examined for presence of parasites. None was found. The patient returned to work, avoiding contact with oats and bran, but on two occasions when she was required to weigh out these substances, the rash recurred. Apart from these two episodes, her skin has been clear of eczema. This is the first time in this department that we have encountered an allergic contact dermatitis to oats and bran, but allergy to these and other grains has been described (Malten 1970, Solomons 1971). With the growing popularity of health food shops and wider distribution in the community of bran as a dietary roughage, one wonders if we shall see more of this allergy in the future. References: 1. Malten KE (1970) Allergic contact dermatitis due to cattle fodder products. contact Dermatitis Newsletter 7, 158. 2. Solomons, B (1971) Sensitization to oats and barley. Contact Dermatitis Newsletter 10. 231.

GRIN #: 6123 COMMON NAME: oat STANDARD COMMON NAME: oat FAMILY: Poaceae LATIN NAME:  STANDARD PLANT NAME: Avena sativa L.

GRIN #: 40544 COMMON NAME: wheat STANDARD COMMON NAME: wheat FAMILY: Poaceae LATIN NAME:  STANDARD PLANT NAME: Triticum aestivum L. subsp. aestivum