Shiitake mushroom-induced flagellate erythema: A striking case and review of the literature

Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr 15;19(4):5.

Abstract

Ingestion of raw or undercooked shiitake mushrooms is associated with a distinctive flagellate erythema. We describe a 61-year-old Caucasian man who presented with a pruritic, erythematous eruption of multiple linear streaks on the trunk and extremities starting 1 day after eating raw shiitake mushrooms. His symptoms and skin lesions resolved with minimal hyperpigmentation within approximately 1 week after treating with topical steroids and oral antihistamines. Skin biopsy showed non-specific findings, including a sparse perivascular and interstitial dermatitis as well as focal vacuolar interface changes. Our case illustrates that this condition is a visibly striking dermatitis with a self-limited course. The pathomechanism of the skin eruption remains unclear.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Erythema / drug therapy
  • Erythema / etiology*
  • Erythema / pathology
  • Histamine Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hyperpigmentation / drug therapy
  • Hyperpigmentation / etiology
  • Hyperpigmentation / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mushroom Poisoning / drug therapy
  • Mushroom Poisoning / etiology*
  • Purpura / drug therapy
  • Purpura / etiology
  • Purpura / pathology
  • Shiitake Mushrooms*
  • Triamcinolone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Histamine Antagonists
  • Triamcinolone