Dermatitis Venenata Due to Ginkgo Berries

Botanical Briefs: Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

“…Contact with the fruit of the ginkgo tree can induce allergic contact dermatitis, 14 most often as erythematous papules, vesicles, and in some cases edema. 5,15 Exposures While Picking Berries-In 1939, Bolus 15 reported the case of a patient who presented with edema, erythema, and vesicular lesions involving the hands and face after picking berries from a ginkgo tree. Later, patch testing on this patient, using ginkgo fruit, resulted in burning and stinging that necessitated removal of the patch, suggesting an irritant reaction.…”

“…It is grown worldwide for its beauty and longevity. The female ginkgo tree is a gymnosperm, producing fruit with seeds that are not coated by an ovary wall 15 ; male (nonfruiting) trees are preferentially planted because the fruit is surrounded by a pulp that, when dropped, emits a sour smell described variously as rancid butter, vomit, or excrement. 5…”

Plants and Plant Products

“…The lesions consist of erythematous papules and vesicles, with severe swelling in severe cases. They usually affect the face, the forearms and the thighs, and sometimes the genitalia [142,143]. Stomatitis, cheilitis, and proctitis following ingestion of ginkgo fruit were described [144].…”

Toxic Woods

“…The pulp of the berries can cause contact dermatitis (Bolus, 1939). The ginkgolic acid and bilobol responsible (Fig.…”