Phytophotodermatitis is almost exclusively reported in the dermatological literature, but may progress to a chemical burn. There has been widespread media reporting during the summer of 2015 of burns caused by giant hogweed. However, there is a lack of awareness of this mechanism of injury amongst the burn multidisciplinary team, and there have been no published articles in the surgical literature regarding plant burns, other than sporadic case reports, for 20 years. ⋯ Accurate diagnosis is straightforward with a detailed history and is important to prompt appropriate treatment, and prevent a misdiagnosis of non-accidental injury. This review and case series are timely to raise awareness of phytophotodermatitis and burns caused by plants to burns multidisciplinary teams. Prospective studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of topical treatments and surgical management.
Benjamin G Baker, James Bedford, and Suryakant Kanitkar.
Burns & Plastic Surgery Department, University Hospital South Manchester, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 9LT, United Kingdom; Burns & Plastic Surgery Department, Royal Manchester Child... more ren's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M139WL, United Kingdom. Electronic address: benjamin.baker@nhs.net. less