Burns or phytophotodermatitis, abuse or neglect: confusing aspects of skin lesions caused by the superstitious use of fig leaves

• Published in: Journal of burn care & research Vol. 33; no. 6; pp. e309 - e312
• Main Authors: Abali, Ayse Ebru Sakallioglu, Aka, Mehmet, Aydogan, Cem, Haberal, Mehmet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-11-2012
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Adolescent; Burns, Chemical - diagnosis; Burns, Chemical - etiology; Ficus; Humans; Intellectual Disability - drug therapy; Male; Phytotherapy - adverse effects; Plant Leaves; Silver Sulfadiazine - therapeutic use; Superstitions
• ISSN: 1559-047X; 1559-0488
• DOI: 10.1097/BCR.0b013e318257d877

As a superstition, homemade decoctions are believed to be beneficial for several diseases. This kind of medical therapy, however, can lead to serious adverse effects. In this report, we present three cases from a single family. Each of the family members developed phytophotodermatitis after the application of a fig leaf decoction. The most severe effect was in the case of a 13-year-old boy who had been bathed with the fig leaf decoction; the two other cases were the parents who prepared and applied the medicine to their child's skin to heal the boy's congenital mental-motor retardation. Silver sulfadiazine was used for wound care. The mother was discharged 6 days after admission, the father, after 8 days, and the boy, after 14 days. Burnlike wounds in all three cases healed completely.