Alstroemeria - a Decorative Flower and Contact Allergy

Overview

Alstroemeria (Alstromericaceae) has become during the last 30 years in many countries a frequently cultivated and desirable cut fiower because of its attractive appearance, wide range of colour varieties, long-term survival in vases and almost all-year availability. The interest of dermatologists was stimulated by the increasing number of published Contact eczemas after A. Contact eczemas after Alstroemeria and Tulipa (Liliaceae) are among the best known occupational dermatoses caused by plants. The most threatened are occupational cultivars, fioriculture workers, people working in nurseries, gardeners, fiorists and designers. The eczema affects as a rule hrst the first 2-3 fingers of the dominant band (similarly as tulip finger), then the dorsum, forearm, neck and face. The allergen was proved to be the aglycone tulipaline A (~alpha methylene--gamma butyrolactone) split off hydrolytically from the glycoside precursor of 6-tuliposide (Al). 52% of 48 workers engaged in cultivation of A with dermatitis of the band was sensitized to tulipaline A.Concurrent eczemas after A. and T. are explained by the prevence of tulipaline A in both plants (pseudocross). In animal experiments A appears to be a potem sensitizer. For epicutaneous testy as a rule 0.1% tuliposide in petrolatum suffices, it may be supplemented by standardized plant extracts or careful epicutaneous testy with the fresh plant.The basis of prevention is to eliminate Contact withA. (and T.), hygiene of work is emphasized, information of employees, use of protective nitrile or multilayer gloves type 4H and seeking of hypoallergenic" cultivars A with a minimal content of proallergenic tuliposides.

Key words:
Contact eczema -Alstroemeria sp. - ~alpha-methylene-gamma butyrolactone - prevalence - clinical picture - patch testy - pseudocross sensitization - prevention.