Ann Dermatol.  2011 Feb;23(1):85-88. 10.5021/ad.2011.23.1.85.

Systemic Contact Dermatitis from Propolis Ingestion

• Cho E
• Lee JD
• Cho SH

• KMID: 2171960
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2011.23.1.85

Abstract

Propolis, also known as bee glue, is a substance collected by worker bees and it is used as a material for constructing and maintaining their beehives. It has been used topically and orally by humans for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the growing use of propolis has been paralleled by reports of allergic contact dermatitis as a reaction to the substance. Contact dermatitis with generalized cutaneous manifestations elicited by propolis ingestion has not been previously reported. Here we report on the first case of systemic contact dermatitis from propolis ingestion in a 36-year-old woman.

Keyword

Allergic contact dermatitis; Bee glue; Propolis; Systemic contact dermatitis

MeSH Terms

Adult
Bees
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact
Dermatitis, Contact
Eating
Female
Humans
Propolis
Propolis

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The propolis solution ingested by the patient.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Erythematous patches and swelling on the face and (B) erythematous swelling with oozing and crusting on the forearms.

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  Fig. 3 Spongiosis, edema of the papillary dermis with vascular dilation and a perivascular infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes (H&E, ×100, ×400).

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  Fig. 4 A patch test to propolis showed an extreme positive reaction (+++) on the 96-hour-reading.

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