Phytodermatitis from Ceratocephalus falcatus

Abstract

Ceratocephalus falcatus (L.) Pers. (Ranunculaceae) is a wild plant. It grows abundantly in the Van province. The species of Ceratocephalus genus possess irritant properties from the presence of an innocuous glycoside, ranunculin. Here, we document 3 patients who were admitted to our clinic in different times from different districts with a common complaint of a large irritant contact dermatitis, resembling second-degree burn injury after application of a plant poultice. The plant specimens in all patients were identified as C. falcatus and it was assessed worthwhile to report. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2005.