[Dermatitis caused by the manchineel tree].

Abstract

Contact dermatitis form Hippomane mancinella L. (manchineel) is commonly observed in Caribbean and Central American Coast land. Its sap from leaf exudate and from the fruit induce severe dermatitis that may involve oral, ocular, genital mucous membranes and skin, depending on the mediate or direct type of contact. Intense itching or burning sensation occurs within an hour and is followed by painful erythema, vesicles, bullae or pustulae, the latter being highly suggestive of mancheneel. Oropharyngeal and ocular lesions may by very severe. The brief delay and the burnlike appearance of the lesions suggest an orthoergic mechanism due to a caustic that could be similar to the substance identified in an other species of Euphorbiacae as phorbol esters. Traditional and native remedies are presented herein.