Background: Twelve cases of contact dermatitis provoked by Agave americana are described, 10 with systemic signs and symptoms and 8 with abnormal laboratory results.
Results: Patient history revealed a background of intentional exposure among soldiers seeking sick leave. Treatment with oral antihistamines and topical saline compresses resulted in subsidence of the systemic symptoms within 24 h of hospitalization and regression of cutaneous manifestations in 7-10 days.
Conclusion: The importance that dermatologists be alert to the possibility of self-inflicted contact dermatitis induced by exposure to plants is stressed, especially to A. americana. Systemic signs are not rare accompanying findings with this plant.