The Siblings with Blistered Legs: Marking Nut Maladies in India

November 2021 in “ American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ”

Jami Rupa Ramani, Hima Gopinath, Prabhakaran Nagendran

dermatitis Semecarpus anacardium bhilawanol irritant contact dermatitis allergic contact dermatitis oral steroids antihistamines marking nut

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.

View this study on ajtmh.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

2 / 2 results

research Airborne Contact Dermatitis from Using Pericarp Juice of Indian Marking Nut for Treating Hair Loss

3 citations, March 2019 in “Contact Dermatitis”

Using Indian marking nut sap for hair loss caused a skin rash on a woman's face.

research Severe Marking-Nut Dermatitis

4 citations, November 2012 in “Dermatitis”

A man got severe skin irritation after using marking nut sap for hair loss.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Severe Marking-Nut Dermatitis

4 citations, November 2012 in “Dermatitis”

A man got severe skin irritation after using marking nut sap for hair loss.

research Airborne Contact Dermatitis from Using Pericarp Juice of Indian Marking Nut for Treating Hair Loss

3 citations, March 2019 in “Contact Dermatitis”

Using Indian marking nut sap for hair loss caused a skin rash on a woman's face.

research Pharmacological Review on Purification of Poisonous Plants According to Ayurveda

August 2022 in “International Journal of Current Science Research and Review”

Ayurveda can make poisonous plants medicinal through specific purification processes.

research Semecarpus Anacardium Linn. Leaf Extract Exhibits Activities Against Breast Cancer And Prolongs The Survival Of Tumor-Bearing Mice

July 2021 in “Research Square (Research Square)”

Semecarpus anacardium leaf extract fights breast cancer and extends survival in mice.

research Virtual Screening of MAP-Tau Protein Inhibitors from Semecarpus Anacardium Linn. Leaf Extract for Cancer Prevention

January 2020 in “bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)”

Semecarpus anacardium leaf extracts may offer safe, effective cancer treatment alternatives.

The Siblings with Blistered Legs: Marking Nut Maladies in India

Research cited in this study

research Airborne Contact Dermatitis from Using Pericarp Juice of Indian Marking Nut for Treating Hair Loss

research Severe Marking-Nut Dermatitis

Related Community Posts Join

community Derm says my hair loss (diffuse) is from seborrheic dermatitis. Anyone else have experience with this? I was already prepared to jump on fin min

community Seborrheic dermatitis - can it cause long-term shedding (or telogen effluvium)?

community Does seborrheic dermatitis block absorption of topicals?

community Hair loss seborrheic dermatitis

community Hairline Slowly Growing Back On It's Own After Seborrheic Dermatitis

community anti-androgens help with chronic seborric dermatitis ?! and hence diffuse thinning

Similar Research

research Severe Marking-Nut Dermatitis

research Airborne Contact Dermatitis from Using Pericarp Juice of Indian Marking Nut for Treating Hair Loss

research Pharmacological Review on Purification of Poisonous Plants According to Ayurveda

research Semecarpus Anacardium Linn. Leaf Extract Exhibits Activities Against Breast Cancer And Prolongs The Survival Of Tumor-Bearing Mice

research Virtual Screening of MAP-Tau Protein Inhibitors from Semecarpus Anacardium Linn. Leaf Extract for Cancer Prevention