TLDR Marking nuts can cause skin irritation and allergies.
An 11-year-old girl and her 14-year-old brother in India developed dermatitis after their parents tied a marking nut (Semecarpus anacardium) around their ankles, believing it would protect them from the evil eye. The siblings experienced pain, itching, redness, and fluid-filled lesions, which resolved after treatment with oral steroids and antihistamines. The marking nut, used in traditional medicine and folklore, contains bhilawanol, which can cause irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. This case highlights the importance of understanding ethnobotany and cultural practices in diagnosing skin conditions in tropical regions.
3 citations
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March 2019 in “Contact Dermatitis” Using Indian marking nut sap for hair loss caused a skin rash on a woman's face.
4 citations
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November 2012 in “Dermatitis” A man got severe skin irritation after using marking nut sap for hair loss.
4 citations
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November 2012 in “Dermatitis” A man got severe skin irritation after using marking nut sap for hair loss.
16 citations
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June 2008 in “Springer eBooks” Over 50% of women over 50 experience hair loss, with minoxidil being the only proven effective treatment.
July 2008 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Cyclosporin doesn't stop hair loss.
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May 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Effective treatments for male pattern baldness include oral finasteride and topical minoxidil, while topical minoxidil is best for female pattern baldness.
1 citations
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January 2019 in “Paediatrics and Child Health” The document concludes that understanding hair biology and recognizing hair conditions are crucial for managing and treating hair loss in children.
