Abstract
Objective: To determine the clinical spectrum of disease in patients of parthenium dermatitis.
Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted at Department of Dermatology Jinnah Hospital Lahore from February to August, 2010. 115 clinically suspected cases of parthenium dermatitis were enrolled for the study from dermatology outdoor department. After taking informed consent those were patch tested to confirm the presence of parthenium sensitivity. Later on detailed clinical examination was performed in confirmed cases of parthenium dermatitis to determine the clinical pattern of disease.
Results: Out of 115 cases of allergic contact dermatitis, 64 patients (56%) were confirmed as cases of parthenium dermatitis. Those consisted of 88% males and 27% females with the age range of 35 to 75 years (Mean 42 yrs & SD +/- 10.20). The most common clinical pattern of parthenium dermatitis was airborne (46%) followed by the mixed pattern (23%), photo contact dermatitis (22%), adult onset atopic dermatitis (6%) and exfoliative dermatitis (3%).
Conclusion: Patients of parthenium dermatitits develop a wide clinical spectrum of disease ranging from classical airborne type to mixed pattern, photo contact dermatitis and exfoliative dermatitis.