Burns Due to Application of Raw Garlic to the Feet as a Home Remedy for Fever

Abstract

We present an illustrative case of unintentional burns to the feet of a 15-month-old child following the application of raw garlic as a home remedy for fever. We provide an overview of the historical medicinal uses of garlic as well as its unintended adverse effects. This case underscores the importance of clinicians' ability to recognize unusual presentations of injury due to culturally based practices that require care in emergency settings. This is particularly important in patient populations for whom abusive etiology would be considered.

Case report of oral mucosa garlic burn during COVID‐19 pandemic outbreak and role of teledentistry to manage oral health in an older adult woman

“…18 Topical use of garlic in its natural form has also been related to skin and mucosa burns, depending on the presentation, contact area, and exposure duration, 19 as already described in the literature. Crushed and sliced raw garlic has resulted in abdominal and plantar burns, with bullous and erythematous lesions, when used to treat abdominal discomfort and a plantar wart, 7 to control fever episodes 20 and fungal nail infection. 10 Raw crushed and poultice garlic has been associated to skin burning when used for toothache relief 11 and trigeminal neuralgia treatment.…”