1. The Bronx’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s dermatology department 2. The University of California’s Department of Dermatology
Abstract
Harvesters of cactus fruit frequently experience cactus dermatitis. The glochidia, the tiny spines, are in charge of
the majority of dermatitis. The glochidia are easily removed from the plant’s body and can be spread to onlookers by
exposure through clothing or animal contact with these cactus. The key to treatment is removing the glochidia from the skin, and home remedies
Figure 1 shows the characteristic juicy papules of dermatitis brought on by contact with cactus bristles.
Figure 2 shows the arborescent or tree-like shape of the cholla cactus, which is infamous for giving its handlers dermatitis.
Joseph M. DiTomaso, an extension specialist at the University of California Davis, took the picture.
Cactus injury and cactus dermatitis
Cacti are flowering, dicotyledonous (marked by two seed leaves) plants in the Cactaceae family. These delicious
Most of North and South America is covered in native perennial plants, particularly the arid areas. in general, cacti
have thick herbaceous or woody stalks that are chlorophyll-rich. Most species lack leaves and rely on the stem for most of the functions.
The drier areas of tropical and subtropical climates are home to the majority of the 2000 species and 100 genera of cactus.
America. These plants are flourishing in the Mediterranean region, India, Africa, and Australia after being transplanted to numerous other places.
They have also gained popularity as indoor plants in regions where they are not native.
[1]
Prickly pears, Opuntia littoralis, have flat joints (see Figure 3). Note the surface’s many areoles, which resemble cushions. Joseph M. DiTomaso, Extension, Photograph
Figure 4 shows the areoles that are distinctive to the Opuntia genus in more detail. Joseph M. DiTomaso, an extension specialist at the University of California Davis, took the picture.
Cacti are distinguished by the presence of areoles, nipples, or cushion-like features on their surface. the majority of cacti species
The areoles give rise to spines or bristles. These spiky plants can be distinguished from another family of plants by the presence of areoles.
Figure 5 shows a close-up of an Opuntia areole to show that there are small glochidia that resemble hairs in addition to the huge spines. Joseph M. DiTomaso’s photograph
The largest genus in the cactus family is Opuntia. The presence of tufts of short, barbed hairs, called glochidia, is what this genus is known for.
which develop from the areoles. There are many subgroups of the Opuntia genus based on the shape of the stem segments. The cylindrical joints of chollas are their distinctive feature. thorny pears
Cholla
The Opuntia genus has a subgroup called cholla that is distinguished by cylindrical joints. Because of the way these plants jump, they are also known as jumping cactus or jumping cholla.
disturbing propensity to rapidly get disjointed. A joint can be detached just by touching a spine. if a spine gets stuck
Movement may cause more detachment and extra joints to embed themselves in the skin. To complicate things
Sabra, or Indian fig
Opuntia gymnocarpa, often known as the Sabra or Indian fig, is notorious for causing occupational dermatitis in those who harvest the sweet fruit. Originally from Mexico, this plant is now found everywhere.
Reaction to the spines
Cacti-related dermatitis is primarily mechanical or irritating, though it can also be immunologic and viral.
Reactions are also possible. Contact with the spines can cause many excoriations, cuts, and scratches on the skin. The skeleton
may separate and cause papules or nodules in the skin or subcutaneous tissue. Spines present within the skin may
Reaction to the glochidia
Despite the bigger spines’ intimidating appearance, it appears that skin penetration and retention of
the glochids. These tiny, possibly barbed objects are challenging to remove after they have pierced the skin.
It has been shown that implanting glochidia in the skin causes acute discomfort. It’s possible that this doesn’t always happen, as the
Patients who have granulomatous lesions around glochidia and no memory of the initial injury appear with the latter.
The irritating reaction may start off slowly in some circumstances. According to Shanon, using sabra to brush his axillary skin
Fruit produced no effects for a half hour, followed by “stabbing emotions” for 1 1/2 hours.
[2] If the spines were damaged, Winer states that there was an immediate burning sensation, redness, and swelling that persisted for one to three days.
deleted.
[3] Depending on the extent of the exposure, a wide range of tissues may be affected, including the cornea, conjunctiva, hard palate, and tongue.
[2]
If the glochidia are left in place, a reaction could happen that leads to granulomatous dermatitis. 24 to 72 hours soon
there is the emergence of asymptomatic, 2- to 5-mm, domed, glistening papules with a central pin-point-sized lesion.
at the injured location, a black dot.
These papules could occur in groups [4]. Additionally, vesicles, pustules, and even localized ulceration can develop. The diagnosis can sometimes be made simply by running the fingertips over the affected area and feeling the embedded
These lesions could continue up to nine months if untreated. Later lesions’ biopsies showed granuloma development with
The dermis contains imbedded plant matter. The barbed bristle fragments produced very favorable PAS responses. [5] Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation frequently follows the appearance of a cactus granuloma lesion.
Sabra Dermatitis
The skin rash that fruit gatherers had is referred to as “sabra dermatitis” in Israel. [2] An occasionally scabies-like papular or vesicular reaction is what distinguishes this illness. In addition, a description of it
termed dyshidrosis-like and tinea-like[6].
[7] The tongue and hard palate can occasionally be impacted.
[8] This irritating dermatitis frequently affects the fingers, wrists, genitalia, thorax, and buttocks. Biopsy
of these lesions will show that glochidia are present. Glochidia may spread from the workers to their clothing and then
to others outside of you. The fruit should only be plucked when moist, and harvesting should cease when the fruit is completely dry.
Infection
Rare occurrences of infections caused by cactus penetration have also been reported in addition to mechanical and irritating dermatitis.
spines. Infection with Mycobacterium marinum has been documented. [9] There are additional reports of fungus and nocardia infections. [10] Cactus spine wound sites are typically culture-negative. [11]
Allergic reactions
The function of allergies in the development of the granulomatous reaction to cactus spine is discussed in the literature.
injury. Schreiber proposed that the granulomatous response is unusual and cactus spine injury is more common.
indicated an allergy was present.
[4] When evaluating six individuals with cactus granulomas, they discovered that two of the six scratch tests yielded positive rapid reactions.
and in five of the six patients who received intradermal injections. However, the discovery supports the case against allergies.
rather than epitheliod granulomas, of foreign body.
[4,12] Nevertheless, other researchers have reported epithelioid granulomatous reactions.
True IgE-mediated allergy to cactus in workers handling cacti has been described, and this is pertinent to occupational illness.
Paulen. IgE allergy appears to be influenced by both genetic predisposition and close interaction with the plants. [13] Contact urticaria and rhinitis in certain people seem to be connected to exposure to cactus and correspond with favorable
Removal of Glochidia
Glochidia can cause a dermatitis that lasts for months if the skin condition is not treated. In order to treat
applying a topical corticosteroid to the afflicted area.
[15] Removal of these tiny spines would appear to be a more effective solution, though, as the presence of glochidia is what causes the condition.
Glochidia could be challenging to get rid of. One or more bristles between 20 and 30 microns in size may remain after yanking them out.
barbs in the skin that will eventually create granulomas.
[4] Attempts to remove the glochidia may cause them to stick to the tongue.
[7] Glochidia removal techniques have included applying sticky plaster to the affected area and immediately tearing it off.
gluing, tweezing, and packaging sealing tape. Tweezing was the most successful technique, removing 76 percent of the
spines. Using gauze to apply a thin coating of household glue (Elmer’s Glue-All, Borden Inc.), then allowing it to dry
(approximately 30 minutes) and then were peeled off, 63% of the spines were removed. Removed facial mask and tapes that were stuck on.
Three days following the excision of 40% and 30% of the spines, respectively, there was higher retention and inflammation than there would have been with no therapy.
Application of adhesive tape more than once did not enhance the outcomes. Martinez claims that the best course of action is to
First remove spine clusters using tweezers, then apply and remove household glue to remove the spines.
Manual extraction of the spicules may be possible if the early vesicles or pustules are unroofed. Unroofed papules may be treated by soaking
for the glochidia to extrude. The papules may be removed for a quicker resolution. A procedure for therapy
described for the granulomatous papules, which entails removing the glochidia fragments and unroofing the papules.
before bathing the wound in an antibiotic solution while seeing the specimen under a dissecting microscope .[17]
Symptoms
The following are possible signs or symptoms of skin contact with harmful plants:
- within a few days of touch, a red rash
- bumps, crimson streaks or patches, or blisters that are bleeding. (NOTE: Blisters cannot spread from you or others due to fluid in them.)
- Swelling
- Itching
First Aid
The following actions should be taken by workers who have come into contact with dangerous plants:
- Rinse skin right away.
- Use rubbing alcohol, poison plant washes, degreasing soap or detergent, a lot of water, and degreasing soap (like dishwashing soap).
- Rinse typically. As a result, wash solutions won’t dry out on the skin and spread urushiol more. The plant’s urusel oil has the potential to result in contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction.
- Use a brush to clean between your nails.
- To lessen itching and blistering, apply damp compresses, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone cream to the skin.
- Any creams and lotions should be used as directed. Do not apply to skin that is damaged or has open blisters.
- Baths with oatmeal may reduce itching.
- To assist reduce itching, take an antihistamine such diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
- Observe the instructions on the packaging.
- Be mindful that antihistamines can cause you to feel sleepy.
- If children come in contact with urushiol-contaminated work gear, consult a pediatrician to determine the proper dosage.
- If the rash is severe or if it appears on the face or genitalia, get medical attention.
- If you or another worker experiences any of the following:
- has a significant allergic reaction, including breathing problems or edema.
Are cacti pollinators?
An allergy sufferer’s fantasy are succulents. Cacti are not only drought-resistant and simple to maintain, but you won’t have to worry about plant pollen with them. Even while the idea of a cactus garden may seem unattractive and make you think of a desolate desert, flowering cacti may be quite striking and offer vibrant color. There are a ton of intriguing sizes and forms that might add interest to your yard.
Flowers
You can still have lovely flowers in your garden even if you have a pollen allergy. To add a splash of color to your landscaping, pick one of these colorful blooms:
- Begonia The leaves of these plants range in color from dark green to scarlet, and the flowers range in color from white to pinks and reds. Their distinctive color combination provides a welcome change from typical foliage.
- sunflowers without allergens
- These towering plants will add height and color to any space. (Avoid using common sunflowers.)
- Daffodils, tulips, and lilies are some spring-blooming flowering plants that have bulbs. These add a terrific pop of color and are offered in almost every hue, from yellow to red to purple.
- Roses
- You might not feel stuffy after looking at this traditional garden flower, but beware of the thorns!
If you have allergies, avoid planting certain flowers in your garden because they produce more pollen. Avoid the following flowers and flowering vines since they will make you sneeze: wisteria, jasmine vine, amaranth, daisies, and chrysanthemums.
Trees
Even though maples, oaks, and elms are stunning, choosing a male plant will cause severe allergic reactions. You shouldn’t experience any allergic reactions if you choose the female plant of these kinds. To ensure that you receive precisely what you want, make sure to purchase the tree from a trustworthy nursery. Another alternative is to select a completely different kind of tree, such as a dogwood or magnolia tree, or a fruit tree (cherry, apple, or plum are all fine choices). Stay clear from any tree with huge blooms as a general rule of thumb because enormous blooms indicate a lot of pollen.
Can cactus itch your skin?
Glochids on cacti are not a feature to be played for laughs. Glochids in the skin are upsetting, challenging to get rid of, and persistent. Describe glochids. They have little, hairy spines with barbs at the ends. Because of this, they are challenging to remove from the skin, and the discomfort lasts for days without relief. If you are handling any of the plants in the Opuntia family, it is advisable to wear gloves and long sleeves. If you don’t, you can have some excruciating burning and itching.
Glochids are found in tufts, frequently close to a major spine. They have backward-pulling barbs that are difficult to remove and are deciduous. Even the slightest contact can cause glochid spines to detach. It is nearly impossible to remove them because they are so small and delicate. Although they are hardly visible, glochids in the skin are definitely felt.
Glochids are intriguing since they develop to aid the plant in preserving moisture. In contrast to thorns, which are modified branches, they are actually modified leaves. These kinds of leaves shield the plant from evaporative water loss, which would otherwise be excessive. They are also a strong defensive tactic.
Can a cactus cause a rash on you?
Your skin can be cut by thorns and spines. As well as causing red spots or patches, swelling, pain, or itching, exposure to minute hairs or fibers can also cause. But a lot of the treatment is the same whenever there is skin inflammation, according to Katta. First of all, try to curb your irritation. “You really want to take care of your skin whenever it is sensitive.”
sanitize the wound. As soon as possible, wash the skin with gentle soap and water. Avoid witch hazel and rubbing alcohol, according to Katta, as they might irritate skin.
Take off any residual barbs or spines. To get rid of any apparent thorns, use tweezers. Cellophane tape can be applied to little hairs or glochids and then peeled off, removing any remaining barbs. If that doesn’t work, one study found that most spines could be removed by covering the skin with a small layer of household glue, covering it with a sheet of gauze, and removing it after 30 minutes.
reduce aching and itching. Using a cool water compress is a quick and easy way to soothe sensitive skin, according to Katta. Just cover the skin with a clean washcloth that has been soaked in tap water for 15 minutes. If you have a little scrape, you can also try an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or antihistamine to ease the itching and discomfort.
Apply creams rich in moisture to calm the skin. Pure petroleum jelly applied to a cut or scratch tends to add a little more moisture that promotes wound healing, according to Katta.
Wrap in a bandage. According to Katta, this can offer a little extra protection throughout the day, and at night, you can take off the bandage to allow the wound to breathe.
Keep an eye out for any signs of an infection. If you’re not careful, you can develop a secondary infection if you have a long scrape in your skin, such if you brushed up against a saw palmetto plant.
According to her, inflamed skin that is not healing appropriately, pus, or an increase in redness or warmth over a few days can be signs that an infection is taking hold. It’s best to phone your doctor in those situation.